Among the recent developments in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), porous layered coordination polymers (CPs) have garnered attention due to their modular nature and tunable structures. These factors enable a number of properties and applications, including gas and guest sorption, storage and separation of gases and small molecules, catalysis, luminescence, sensing, magnetism, and energy storage and conversion. Among MOFs, two-dimensional (2D) compounds are also known as 2D CPs or 2D MOFs. Since the discovery of graphene in 2004, 2D materials have also been widely studied. Several 2D MOFs are suitable for exfoliation as ultrathin nanosheets similar to graphene and other 2D materials, making these layered structures useful and unique for various technological applications. Furthermore, these layered structures have fascinating topological networks and entanglements. This review provides an overview of different aspects of 2D MOF layered architectures such as topology, interpenetration, structural transformations, properties, and applications.

Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Framework Materials: Synthesis, Structures, Properties and Applications.

Two series of lanthanide metal–organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) from two structurally related flexible carboxylate-based ligands were solvothermally synthesized. H3L2 with additional −CH2− group provides more flexibility and different coordination modes and conformations compared with H3L1. As a result, 2-Ln MOFs are modulated from two-dimensional kgd of 1-Ln to three-dimensional rtl topological frameworks and further achieve enhanced chemical stability. The Eu- and Tb-MOFs exhibit strong fluorescent emission at the solid state because of the antenna effect of the ligands. Interestingly, the emissions can be tuned by simply doping Eu3+ and Tb3+ of different concentrations within the EuxTb1–x MOFs. Notably, 2-Ln MOFs realize nearly white light emission by means of a trichromatic approach (red of Eu(III), green of Tb(III), and blue of the H3L2 ligand). Furthermore, 2-Ln MOFs also exhibit water stability and demonstrate high selective and sensitive sensing activities toward Fe(III) and Cr(VI) in aqueous solution...

Tunable Light Emission and Multiresponsive Luminescent Sensitivities in Aqueous Solutions of Two Series of Lanthanide Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on Structurally Related Ligands.

Pillar-layered metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are among the most interesting research areas in crystalline materials. Due to the great number of reports related to pillar-layered MOFs, investigating their structural diversity, properties and applicability as multi-donor porous frameworks is of great interest. Modifying pillar moieties as a third building block of pillar-layered MOFs, together with metal nodes and oxygen donor linkers, can enhance control of the structure assembly, leading to specific properties of the obtained structures. Although the past decade has witnessed remarkable advances in this research area, pillar-layered MOFs have not been reviewed as an independent subject to date. Therefore, a review summarizing their performance is greatly needed. This review covers issues related to pillar-layered MOFs, including their structural properties, synthesis, stability, diversity of linkers, and improved applicability. Finally, pillar linkers are studied separately according to their diverse donor atoms and functional groups.

Pillar-layered MOFs: Functionality, Interpenetration, Flexibility and Applications

New coordination polymers of cobalt(II), namely, [Co(μ4-cpna)(H2O)2]n (1), [Co(μ3-cpna)(phen)(H2O)]n·nH2O (2), [Co3(μ4-dppa)2(H2O)6]n·2nH2O (3), and [Co3(μ5-dppa)2(μ-4,4′-bipy)(H2O)2]n·4nH2O (4), h...

Cobalt(II) Coordination Polymers Assembled from Unexplored Pyridine-Carboxylic Acids: Structural Diversity and Catalytic Oxidation of Alcohols.

Four new metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Zn3(L)(OH)(H2O)5]·NMP·2H2O}n (1), {[H2N(Me)2][Zn2(L)(H2O)]·DMF·H2O}n (2), {[Co5(L)2(H2O)11]·2H2O}n (3) and {[Mn5(L)2(H2O)12]·6H2O}n (4), were assembled employing a symmetrical V-shaped rigid multicarboxylic acid ligand H5L (H5L = 2,4-di(3′,5′-dicarboxylphenyl)benzoic acid) with different metal ions, resulting in versatile frameworks as well as various types of coordination modes of H5L. 1 forms a three-dimensional (3D) 4-connected sra net based on trinuclear [Zn3(μ3-OH)(μ2-COO)(μ1-COO)4] clusters, while 2 displays a 3D (4,6)-connected net based on two types of binuclear [Zn2(μ2-COO)2(μ1-COO)4] and [Zn2(μ2-COO)4] clusters. 3 and 4 contain similar [M3(μ2-COO)4(μ1-COO)2] (3, M = Co; 4, M = Mn) clusters but result in different 4-connected 3D and 2D frameworks, respectively. 1 and 2 show solid-state luminescence properties at ambient temperature. Meanwhile, 1 shows high selectivity and sensitivity for not only Fe3+ cations but also for CrO42−, Cr2O72− and MnO4− anions via a luminescence quenching effect with a low detection limit, which thus means that it could be a potential crystalline material for detecting these anions. The mechanisms of the quenching effect and sensing properties of 1 are discussed in detail. In addition, 3 and 4 have the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions between the metal ions.

Four new metal–organic frameworks based on diverse secondary building units: sensing and magnetic properties

Selected recent examples of coordination polymers (CPs) or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) constructed from different multifunctional carboxylic acids with phenyl-pyridine or biphenyl cores have been discussed. Despite being still little explored in crystal engineering research, such types of semi-rigid, thermally stable, multifunctional and versatile carboxylic acid building blocks have become very promising toward the hydrothermal synthesis of metal-organic architectures possessing distinct structural features, topologies, and functional properties. Thus, the main aim of this mini-review has been to motivate further research toward the synthesis and application of coordination polymers assembled from polycarboxylic acids with phenyl-pyridine or biphenyl cores. The importance of different reaction parameters and hydrothermal conditions on the generation and structural types of CPs or MOFs has also been highlighted. The influence of the type of main di- or tricarboxylate ligand, nature of metal node, stoichiometry and molar ratio of reagents, temperature, and presence of auxiliary ligands or templates has been showcased. Selected examples of highly porous or luminescent CPs, compounds with unusual magnetic properties, and frameworks for selective sensing applications have been described.

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/8/2/83/pdf

Multifunctional Aromatic Carboxylic Acids as Versatile Building Blocks for Hydrothermal Design of Coordination Polymers

5-(6-Carboxypyridin-3-yl)isophthalic acid (H3L) was utilized as an almost unexplored multifunctional ligand to construct, under hydrothermal conditions, ten new coordination compounds, namely, [Cd(μ2-H2L)2]n (1), [Ni(HL)(H2biim)2] (2), [Mn(μ2-HL) (phen)(H2O)]2·2H2O (3), {[Mn3(μ4-L)2(H2O)6]·3H2O}n (4), {[Co3(μ5-L)2(H2O)6]·2H2O}n (5), {[Ni3(μ4-L)2(H2O)6]·2H2O}n (6), {[Zn3(μ5-L)2(H2O)4]·2H2O}n (7), {[Mn3(μ5-L)2(H2O)6]·4H2O}n (8), {[Co3(μ4-L)2(μ2-4,4′-bipy)(H2O)6]·2H2O}n (9), and {[Ni3(μ5-L)2(H2O)6]·2H2O}n (10), also using an optional auxiliary ligand selected from 2,2′-biimidazole (H2biim), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), or 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy). The obtained compounds 1–10 were analyzed by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and elemental analysis, and single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. The structures of the products vary from 3D MOFs (metal–organic frameworks 5 and 7–10) to 2D CPs (coordination polymers 1, 4, and 6) as well as to a discrete 0D monomer 2 and a dimer 3. The latter two are extende...

Structurally Distinct Metal–Organic and H-Bonded Networks Derived from 5-(6-Carboxypyridin-3-yl)isophthalic Acid: Coordination and Template Effect of 4,4′-Bipyridine

In this work, an ether-bridged aromatic carboxylic acid, 2-(2-carboxyphenoxy)terephthalic acid (H3cpta), was applied as an unexplored building block for the generation of a novel series of coordination compounds, which represent the first examples of structurally characterized products derived from H3cpta, thus opening up its use as a versatile building block in crystal engineering research. The obtained products were formulated as [Cd(μ-Hcpta)(phen)(H2O)]n (1), [Mn(μ-Hcpta)(phen)(H2O)]n (2), {[Cd3(μ3-Hcpta)(μ4-cpta)(μ-Cl)(H2O)4]·2H2O}n (3), {[Cd3(μ6-cpta)2(py)2]·5H2O}n (4), [Mn3(μ5-cpta)2(2,2′-bipy)2]n (5), [Mn3(μ4-cpta)2(phen)3(H2O)2]n (6), {[Zn3(μ3-cpta)2(phen)3]·3H2O} (7), [Cd2(μ4-cpta)(μ-Cl)(phen)2]n (8), [Cd3(μ5-cpta)2(phen)2(H2O)2]n (9), [Cd3(μ4-cpta)2(phen)3(H2O)2]n (10), [Cd3(μ5-cpta)2(H2biim)2]n (11), [Zn2(μ6-cpta)(μ-Hbiim)]n (12), and [Ni3(μ3-cpta)2(phen)3(py)3(H2O)3]n (13). These compounds were assembled in the presence of an optional N-donor ancillary ligand, which was selected from 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), pyridine (py), 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy), or 2,2′-biimidazole (H2biim). The obtained compounds 1–13 were fully characterized, including by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder (PXRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures of 1–13 vary from a discrete 0D dimer (1) to the 1D (2, 3, 7, and 13) and 2D (5, 6, and 8–11) coordination polymers, as well as to the 3D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs 4 and 12). Such a wide structural diversity of 1–13 is guided by the following factors: a type of metal(II) node and counter anion, a deprotonation degree of the principal H3cpta block, and/or a type of an auxiliary ligand. Topological classification of H-bonded (in 1) and metal–organic (in 2–13) underlying networks was performed, disclosing the following topological types: sql (in 1), 2C1 (in 2 and 7), 3,4,5L45 (in 5, 9, and 11), 3,4L128 (in 6 and 10), 3,3,4L29 (in 8), and SP 1-periodic net (in 13), as well as some topologically unique nets (in 3, 4, and 12). Besides, magnetic properties of 2, 5, 6, and 13 were studied and modeled, revealing antiferromagnetic interactions between adjacent metal(II) centers. In addition, luminescence properties were investigated for 1, 3, 4, and 7–12; MOF 4 can be used as a sensitive material for the detection of Fe3+ ions in aqueous solution through the luminescence quenching effect.

Introducing 2-(2-carboxyphenoxy)terephthalic acid as a new versatile building block for design of diverse coordination polymers: synthesis, structural features, luminescence sensing, and magnetism

In this work, a trifunctional N,O-building block, 5-(4-carboxyphenoxy)nicotinic acid (H2cpna), that combines three distinct types of functional groups (COOH, N-pyridyl, and O-ether) was used for the hydrothermal assembly of thirteen new coordination compounds: [Co(μ3-Hcpna)2]n (1), [Mn(μ4-cpna)(H2O)]n (2), [Mn(μ4-cpna)(H2O)2]n (3), [Mn(μ-cpna)(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)2]n (4), {[Ni(μ3-cpna)(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)]2·H2O}n (5), {[Cd(μ3-cpna)(2,2'-bipy)]·2H2O}n (6), [Zn2(μ-cpna)2(2,2'-bipy)2] (7), [Cu(μ-cpna)(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)]n (8), {[Mn(μ-cpna)(phen)2]·6H2O}n (9), {[Ni(μ3-cpna)(phen)(H2O)]·H2O}n (10), [Zn2(μ-cpna)2(phen)2] (11), {[Pb(μ3-cpna)(phen)]·H2O}n (12), and [Ni(μ3-cpna)(4,4'-bipy)0.5(H2O)]n (13). These products were synthesized from the corresponding metal(ii) chlorides, H2cpna, NaOH, and optional N-donor supporting ligands or templates {bis(4-pyridyl)amine (bpa), 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bipy), 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy), or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)}. Products 1-13 were characterized in the solid state by standard methods, including elemental and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), IR spectroscopy, and powder (PXRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures of 1-13 feature distinct structural types, namely the 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs 1-3), the 2D coordination polymers (5, 6, 10, 12, and 13), the 1D coordination polymers (4, 8, and 9), and the 0D discrete cyclic dimers (7 and 11). Such a wide structural diversity of 1-13 is driven by various factors, including the type of the metal(ii) node, the deprotonation degree of H2cpna, and/or the type of supporting ligand or template. Notably, an addition of bpa can tune the structure of MOF 3 by the template effect. Topological classification of underlying metal-organic networks was performed, leading to several distinct topological nets: rtl (in 1), hxg-d-4-C2/m (in 2), sra (in 3), 2C1 (in 4, 8 and 9), fes (in 5, 10, and 12), hcb (in 6), and 3,4L83 (in 13). The magnetic behavior of 1-5, 8-10, and 13 was studied and theoretically modeled, disclosing antiferromagnetic interactions. The luminescence behavior of 6, 7, 11, and 12 was also investigated.

Hydrothermal assembly, structures, topologies, luminescence, and magnetism of a novel series of coordination polymers driven by a trifunctional nicotinic acid building block

5-(3,4-Dicarboxylphenyl)picolinic acid (H3dppa) was applied as a novel tricarboxylic acid block with phthalate and picolinate functionalities for the aqueous-medium assembly of seven new coordination compounds, namely, [Mn2(μ-Hdppa)2(phen)2(H2O)2] (1), {[Mn(μ-Hdppa)(2,2′-H2biim)(H2O)]·H2O}n (2), [Ni(Hdppa)(phen)2]·4H2O (3), {[Ni(μ-Hdppa)(μ-4,4′-bipy)(H2O)]·H2O}n (4), {[Cu3(μ3-dppa)(μ-Hdppa)(phen)4]2[Cu(μ-Hdppa)2]·10H2O}n (5), {[Ni3(μ-dppa)2(μ-1,4-bpb)2(H2O)6]·4H2O}n (6), and {[Zn3(μ4-dppa)2(phen)2(H2O)2]·4H2O}n (7). These products 1–7 represent the first structurally characterized examples of the coordination compounds derived from H3dppa. Compounds 1–7 were assembled in the presence of various N-donor supporting ligands acting as crystallization mediators, which were selected from 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′-biimidazole (H2biim), 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy), or 1,4-bis(pyrid-4-yl)benzene (1,4-bpb). Full characterization of 1–7 by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TGA), elemental, and topological analyses, as well as powder (PXRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, was performed. The structural types range from the discrete 0D complexes (1 and 3) and 1D coordination polymers with a 2C1 topology (2, 5, and 6) to the 2D metal–organic layers with an sql topology (4 and 7). The structural diversity of 1–7 is driven by various factors, including the metal(II) node nature, deprotonation degree of H3dppa, or type of crystallization mediator. The magnetic properties of 1, 2, 4, and 6 were studied and modeled, revealing antiferromagnetic (in 1, 2, and 6) or ferromagnetic (in 4) interactions between adjacent metal(II) centers. The luminescence of 7 was also investigated. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity of 1–7 was studied for the degradation of methylene blue as a model dye pollutant, disclosing that the nickel(II) coordination polymer 4 is the most active catalyst. The observed catalytic activity of 1–7 correlates well with their band gap energies determined by the UV-diffuse reflectance method.

Bringing 5-(3,4-dicarboxylphenyl)picolinic acid to crystal engineering research: hydrothermal assembly, structural features, and photocatalytic activity of Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn coordination polymers

Xiao-Xiao Liang

Papers

Multifunctional Aromatic Carboxylic Acids as Versatile Building Blocks for Hydrothermal Design of Coordination Polymers

Structurally Distinct Metal–Organic and H-Bonded Networks Derived from 5-(6-Carboxypyridin-3-yl)isophthalic Acid: Coordination and Template Effect of 4,4′-Bipyridine

Introducing 2-(2-carboxyphenoxy)terephthalic acid as a new versatile building block for design of diverse coordination polymers: synthesis, structural features, luminescence sensing, and magnetism

Hydrothermal assembly, structures, topologies, luminescence, and magnetism of a novel series of coordination polymers driven by a trifunctional nicotinic acid building block

Bringing 5-(3,4-dicarboxylphenyl)picolinic acid to crystal engineering research: hydrothermal assembly, structural features, and photocatalytic activity of Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn coordination polymers