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Title: Pair distribution function-derived mechanism of a single-crystal to disordered to single-crystal transformation in a hemilabile metal-organic framework

Journal Article · · Chemical Science
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/c2sc20261a· OSTI ID:1046336

Flexible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are materials of great current interest. A small class of MOFs show flexibility driven by reversible bonding rearrangements that lead directly to unusual properties. Cu-SIP-3 is a MOF based on the 5-sulfoisophthalate ligand, where the strong copper-carboxylate bonds ensure that the three-dimensional integrity of the structure is retained while allowing bonding changes to occur at the more weakly bonding sulfonate group leading to unusual properties such as the ultra-selective adsorption of only certain gases. While the integrity of the framework remains intact during bonding changes, crystalline order is not retained at all times during the transformations. X-Ray diffraction reveals that highly crystalline single crystals lose order during the transformation before regaining crystallinity once it is complete. Here we show how X-ray pair distribution function analysis can be used to reveal the mechanism of the transformations in Cu-SIP-3, identifying the sequence of atomic displacements that occur in the disordered phase. A similar approach reveals the underlying mechanism of Cu-SIP-3's ultra-selective gas adsorption.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1046336
Report Number(s):
ANL/XSD/JA-73708; TRN: US201215%%287
Journal Information:
Chemical Science, Vol. 3, Issue 8; ISSN 1478-6524
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH