Metal organic frameworks as precursors for the manufacture of advanced catalytic materials

The use of metal organic frameworks as hard templates for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts is thoroughly reviewed. In this critical article, the main factors to consider when using a MOF as a sacrificial template are first discussed. Then, the existing literature on the topic is reviewed, classifying the different examples according to the MOF metal. Finally, the main advantages, limitations and perspectives of the so-called MOF mediated synthesis are outlined.