One-step introduction of terminal sulfonic groups into a proton-conducting metal-organic framework by concerted deprotonation-metalation-hydrolysis reaction

Terminal sulfonic acid groups characterize various proton conducting materials including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These groups, however, show strong coordination ability that hinders their direct intact incorporation. We present a strategy for introducing pendant SO3H groups into frameworks from sulfonyl chloride precursors. The strategy using concerted deprotonation-metalation-hydrolysis reaction yields a new MOF capable of proton transport.