Toluene-assisted synthesis of RHO-type zeolitic imidazolate frameworks: synthesis and formation mechanism of ZIF-11 and ZIF-12

• DOI: 10.1039/c3dt52103f
• Publication Date: 2013-09-10T21:48:35Z
• Authors: Ming He; Jianfeng Yao; Qi Liu; Zhaoxiang Zhong; Huanting Wang
• Keywords: Zeolitic imidazolate framework; Imidazolate

Toluene was discovered as the structure template for synthesis of large-cage RHO-type zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-11 and ZIF-12) in an alcohol-based solution where benzimidazole-toluene interactions play a decisive structure-directing role; otherwise it leads to small-cage SOD-type ZIF-7 ZIF-9 without toluene. The specific π-π make toluene molecules adopt oriented arrangement unit cell. XRD intensity (100) plane is strongly dependent on amount toluene: apparent degradation observed after removing by solvent exchange or thermal treatment, peak recoverable filling pores with vapor. More-polar methanol compared ethanol favorable formation ZIFs due enhanced between linkers.