Compartmentalization within Self-Assembled Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles for Tandem Reactions

Compartmentalization is an essential feature found in living cells to ensure multiple biological processes occur without being affected by undesired external influences. Here, compartmentalized systems are developed based on the self-assembly of metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles into multifunctional MOF capsules (MOF-Cs). Such MOF-Cs have the capability of controlling molecular transportation and protecting interior microenvironment, thus making tandem reaction along trajectories to desired products. First of all, MOF-Cs present controlled molecular transportation derived from molecular sieving property of MOFs. Second, MOF-Cs can protect the encapsulated cargoes from denaturation and maintain their catalytic activity. Third, MOF-Cs can provide spatial segregation for incompatible species and facilitate communication between these compartments to perform tandem reactions. These compartmentalized structures offer new views in the transportation, microreactor, and biotechnology.