Towards Conducting Metal-Organic Frameworks

The realization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as electronic conductors is a highly sought after goal, which has the potential to revolutionize the areas of catalysis, solid-state sensors and solar energy conversion devices. To date, the design and synthesis of MOFs that exhibit through-framework conduction has been limited; however, significant interest is now emerging owing to the fascinating prospects for integrating multiple functions. This highlight article introduces the field of conducting nanoporous materials and discusses recent specific examples along with key design features that will underlie future developments in the area.