This tutorial review summarises recent advances in the direct supramolecular templating of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with hierarchical porosity across the micro- and mesoporous regimes. These are set against the important synthetic considerations that need to be addressed to ensure that strong interactions between the MOF precursors and a stable template assembly allow the highest chance of success. The article is grouped by template type and each category is illustrated with key examples and, where reported, an evaluation of their enhanced properties arising from the hierarchical structuring of the porous networks.

We report a one-pot emulsion-templating strategy for the preparation of ZIF-8 microcapsules both in the presence and absence of surfactants. Capsule diameter is tuneable in the range 1-10 μm, and they can be post-synthetically etched with excess imidazole to form hierarchical architectures resembling Oleaceae pollen grains.

Review: recent advances in the soft templating of metal—organic frameworks with hierarchical porosity across the micro‐ and mesoporous regimes; 50 refs.