Solvent-free synthesis of a microporous metal-organic framework

We describe the first solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis of a microporous metal-organic framework [Cu(INA)(2)] (INA = isonicotinic acid); the product has robust 3-dimensional connectivity and is obtained quantitatively by grinding together copper acetate and isonicotinic acid for 10 minutes without any applied heating-the high efficiency of the synthesis suggests that mechanochemical synthesis should be further investigated as a convenient method for the preparation of microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).