Encapsulation of cobaltocenium ions in a zeolite-like metal–organic framework

Abstract

The templating and structure-directing additives are well known for zeolites, but are less common for metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). A cobaltocenium cation, Cp₂Co⁺ (Cp = C₅H₅), was used as a structure-directing agent (SDA) for the synthesis of an anionic zeolite-like metal–organic framework Cp₂Co⁺-sod-ZMOF. The SDA templated framework is thermally stable up to 400 °C, and has an overall larger cell volume compared to other SDAs. The crystal structure of the ZMOF with the encapsulated guest Cp₂Co⁺ is reported. The ZMOF was also characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), gas adsorption analysis, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis and cyclic voltammetry (CV).