How molecules turn into solids: the case of self-assembled metal-organic frameworks

This perspective proposes a rational and intuitive mechanism for the formation of metal-organic framework compounds (MOF). As soon as a metal salt is dissolved in water or a nonaqueous solvent, a soluble metal complex is formed. Knowing how this complex organizes with the organic groups in the medium of the solvent is crucial to understanding the transformation of these molecules into the final solid through hydrolysis and condensation. Condensation is strongly believed to occur when point zero charge molecules (pzc) are formed at the isoelectric point. Several examples from the literature are readily explained using this mechanism.