The escalating level of atmospheric carbon dioxide is one of the most pressing environmental concerns of our age. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) from large point sources such as power plants is one option for reducing anthropogenic CO2 emissions; however, currently the capture alone will increase the energy requirements of a plant by 25–40 %. This Review highlights the challenges for capture technologies which have the greatest likelihood of reducing CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, namely postcombustion (predominantly CO2/N2 separation), precombustion (CO2/H2) capture, and natural gas sweetening (CO2/CH4). The key factor which underlies significant advancements lies in improved materials that perform the separations. In this regard, the most recent developments and emerging concepts in CO2 separations by solvent absorption, chemical and physical adsorption, and membranes, amongst others, will be discussed, with particular attention on progress in the burgeoning field of metal–organic frameworks.

Reaction of CuCl(2) x 2 H(2)O with 1,3,5-tris(1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-yl)benzene (H(3)BTTri) in DMF at 100 degrees C generates the metal-organic framework H(3)[(Cu(4)Cl)(3)(BTTri)(8)(DMF)(12)] x 7 DMF x 76 H(2)O (1-DMF). The sodalite-type structure of the framework consists of BTTri(3-)-linked [Cu(4)Cl](7+) square clusters in which each Cu(II) center has a terminal DMF ligand directed toward the interior of a large pore. The framework exhibits a high thermal stability of up to 270 degrees C, as well as exceptional chemical stability in air, boiling water, and acidic media. Following exchange of the guest solvent and bound DMF molecules for methanol to give 1-MeOH, complete desolvation of the framework at 180 degrees C generated H(3)[(Cu(4)Cl)(3)(BTTri)(8)] (1) with exposed Cu(II) sites on its surface. Following a previously reported protocol, ethylenediamine molecules were grafted onto these sites to afford 1-en, featuring terminal alkylamine groups. The N(2) adsorption isotherms indicate a reduction in the BET surface area from 1770 to 345 m(2)/g following grafting. The H(2) adsorption data at 77 K for 1 indicate a fully reversible uptake of 1.2 wt % at 1.2 bar, while the CO(2) isotherm at 195 K shows a maximal uptake of 90 wt % at 1 bar. Compared to 1, the alkylamine-functionalized framework 1-en exhibits a higher uptake of CO(2) at 298 K and pressures up to ca. 0.1 bar, as well as a higher CO(2)/N(2) selectivity at all measured pressures. Significantly, 1-en also exhibits an isosteric heat of CO(2) adsorption of 90 kJ/mol, which is much higher than the 21 kJ/mol observed for 1. This chemisorption interaction is the strongest reported to date for a metal-organic framework and points toward the potential utility of alkylamine-appended frameworks for the postcombustion capture of CO(2) from low-pressure flue gas streams.

Mixed-valence chemistry has a long and rich history which is characterised by a strong interplay of experimental, theoretical and computational studies. The intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) transitions generated in dinuclear mixed-valence species (particularly of ruthenium and osmium) have received considerable attention in this context, as they provide a powerful and sensitive probe of the factors which govern electronic delocalisation and the activation barrier to intramolecular electron transfer. This tutorial review discusses classical, semi-classical and quantum mechanical theoretical treatments which have been developed over the past 35 years for the analysis of IVCT absorption bands. Particular attention is drawn to the applicability of these models for the analysis of mixed-valence complexes which lie between the fully localised (Class II) and delocalised (Class III) limits in the "localised-to-delocalised" (Class II-III) regime. A clear understanding of the complex interplay of inter- and intramolecular factors which influence the IVCT process is crucial for the design of experimental studies to probe the localised-to-delocalised regime and in guidance of the development of appropriate theoretical models.

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Of the many thousands of new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that are now discovered each year, many possess potential redox activity arising from the constituent metal ions and/or organic ligands, or the guest molecules located within their porous structures. Those redox states that can be accessed via postsynthetic redox modulation often possess distinct physical properties; if harnessed, these provide a basis for applications including microporous conductors, electrocatalysts, energy storage devices and electrochemical sensors, amongst others. This feature article highlights the latest developments in experimental, theoretical and computational concepts relevant to redox-active MOFs, including new solid state electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical techniques that have great utility in this field. A particular emphasis is on current and emerging trends at the fundamental level which underscore the importance of this promising class of electroactive materials for a wide range of technologically- and industrially-relevant applications.

Defect concentrations and their compensating groups have been systematically tuned within UiO-66 frameworks by using modified microwave-assisted solvothermal methods. Both of these factors have a pronounced effect on CO2 and H2O adsorption at low and high pressure.

A major challenge is the development of multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), wherein magnetic and electronic functionality can be controlled simultaneously. Herein, we rationally construct two 3D MOFs by introducing the redox active ligand tetra(4-pyridyl)tetrathiafulvalene (TTF(py) ) and spin-crossover Fe centers. The materials exhibit redox activity, in addition to thermally and photo-induced spin crossover (SCO). A crystal-to-crystal transformation induced by I doping has also been observed and the resulting intercalated structure determined. The conductivity could be significantly enhanced (up to 3 orders of magnitude) by modulating the electronic state of the framework via oxidative doping; SCO behavior was also modified and the photo-magnetic behavior was switched off. This work provides a new strategy to tune the spin state and conductivity of framework materials through guest-induced redox-state switching.

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