Switching of Adsorption Properties in a Zwitterionic Metal–Organic Framework Triggered by Photogenerated Radical Triplets

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b03224
• Publication Date: 2016-10-17T14:40:13Z
• Authors: Wen An; Darpandeep Aulakh; Xuan Zhang; Wolfgang Verdegaal; Kim R. Dunbar; Mario Wriedt
• Keywords: Carboxylate; Cationic polymerization

A new metal–organic framework (MOF) that features photoreactive zwitterionic pyridinium 4-carboxylate units has been designed. Upon UV light irradiation, these form radical triplets permitted by intramolecular electron transfer between anionic carboxylate and cationic groups. This reversible light-responsive behavior creates on/off switchable charge gradients localized at the MOF's major adsorption sites and, thus, allows significant control of gas sorption process. It is shown this strategy offers design routes for accessing stimulus-responsive materials.