A series of isostructural mesoporous metal–organic frameworks obtained by ion-exchange induced single-crystal to single-crystal transformation

Abstract

A series of metal–organic frameworks representing a non-interpenetrated framework analogue of MOF-14 have been synthesized by using two different linkers, 4,4′,4′′-benzene-1,3,5-triyl-benzoic acid (H₃BTB) and 4,4′-bipyridine (Bpy). Interestingly, the transition metal ions in the paddle-wheel metal clusters could be exchanged by other transition metal ions via a direct single-crystal to single-crystal transformation. This post-synthesis route can be used for synthesis of isomorphous metal–organic frameworks that cannot be obtained by direct synthesis.