Integrating the Mechanical Bond into Metal-Organic Frameworks

This perspective explores the idea of using mechanical bonds in the design and construction of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials. We provide examples of how and why mechanical bonds have been used in MOFs to date and examine different ways the mechanical bond can be incorporated into a MOF linker. Furthermore, we suggest ways that linkers with mechanical bonds could be used for the creation of MOFs with interesting topologies and properties dictated by the interlocked nature and dynamics of the mechanical bond.