Implementing Mesoporosity in Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks through Clip-Off Chemistry in Heterometallic Iron–Zinc ZIF-8

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08017
• Publication Date: 2023-10-09T23:36:37Z
• Authors: Luis León-Alcaide; Javier López-Cabr...; María Esteve-Rochina; Enrique Ortí; Joaquín Calbo; Bas A. H. Huisman; Michele Sessolo; João C. Waerenborgh; Bruno J. C. Vieira; Guillermo Mínguez...
• Keywords: Imidazolate; Zeolitic imidazolate framework

Bond breaking has emerged as a new tool to postsynthetically modify the pore structure in metal-organic frameworks since it allows us obtain environments structures that are inaccessible by other techniques. Here, we extend concept of clip-off chemistry archetypical ZIF-8, taking advantage different stabilities bonds between imidazolate and Zn Fe metal atoms heterometallic Fe-Zn-ZIF-8. We demonstrate centers can be removed selectively without affecting backbone is supported atoms. This create mesopores within highly stable ZIF-8 structure. The strategy presented, combined with control amount iron incorporated into structure, permits porosity engineering ZIF materials opens avenue for designing novel hierarchical porous frameworks.