Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are hybrid porous materials with many potential applications, which intimately depend on the presence of chemical functionality either at the organic linkers and/or at the metal nodes. Functionality that cannot be introduced into MOFs directly via de novo syntheses can be accessed through post-synthesis modification (PSM) on the reactive moieties of the linkers and/or nodes without disrupting the metal-linker bonds. Even more intriguing methods that go beyond PSM are herein termed building block replacement (BBR) which encompasses (i) solvent-assisted linker exchange (SALE), (ii) non-bridging ligand replacement, and (iii) transmetalation. These one-step or tandem BBR processes involve exchanging key structural components of the MOF, which in turn should allow for the evolution of protoMOF structures (i.e., the utilization of a parent MOF as a template) to design MOFs composed of completely new components, presumably via single crystal to single crystal transformations. The influence of building block replacement on the stability and properties of MOFs will be discussed, and some insights into their mechanistic aspects are provided. Future perspectives providing a glimpse into how these techniques can lead to various unexplored areas of MOF chemistry are also presented.

A zeolitic imidazolate framework material of SOD topology possessing primarily unsubstituted imidazolate (im) linkers has been synthesized via solvent-assisted linker exchange (SALE) of ZIF-8. The structure of the new material, SALEM-2, has been confirmed through (1)H NMR and powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. SALEM-2 is the first example of a porous Zn(im)(2) ZIF possessing a truly zeolitic topology that can be obtained in bulk quantities. Upon treatment with n-butyllithium, the open analogue exhibits Brønsted base catalysis that cannot be accomplished by the parent material ZIF-8. Additionally, it displays a different size cutoff for uptake and release of molecular guests than does ZIF-8.

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained considerable attention as hybrid materials—in part because of a multitude of potential useful applications, ranging from gas separation to catalysis and light harvesting. Unfortunately, de novo synthesis of MOFs with desirable function–property combinations is not always reliable and may suffer from vagaries such as formation of undesirable topologies, low solubility of precursors, and loss of functionality of the sensitive network components. The recently discovered synthetic approach coined solvent‐assisted linker exchange (SALE) constitutes a simple to implement strategy for circumventing these setbacks; its use has already led to the generation of a variety of MOF materials previously unobtainable by direct synthesis methods. This Review provides a perspective of the achievements in MOF research that have been made possible with SALE and examines the studies that have facilitated the understanding and broadened the scope of use of this invaluable synthetic tool.

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The present work is a critical review of metal exchange (transmetalation) involving metal nodes and metalated struts in metal-organic frameworks. Particular emphasis is given to drawing parallels between different examples of transmetalation in order to understand the influence of coordination environment, solvents, nature of the metals and other variables on the process. We hope that the present review will be of use to those involved in the incorporation of various metal centers to create isostructural MOFs and study their properties.

As a C1 feedstock, CO 2 has the potential to be uniquely highly economical in both a chemical and a financial sense. In particular, the highly atom-economical acid-catalyzed cycloaddition of CO 2 to epoxides to yield cyclic organic carbonates (OCs), a functionality having many important industrial applications, is an attractive reaction for the utilization of CO 2 as a chemical feedstock. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising candidates in catalysis as they are a class of crystalline, porous, and functional materials with remarkable properties including great surface area, high stability, open channels, and permanent porosity. MOFs structure tunability and their affinity for CO 2 , makes them great catalysts for the formation of OCs using CO 2 and epoxides. In this review, we examine MOF-based catalytic materials for the cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to epoxides. Catalysts are grouped based on the location of catalytic sites, i.e., at the struts, nodes, defect sites, or some combination thereof. Additionally, important features of each catalyst system are critically discussed.

Solvent-assisted ligand incorporation (SALI) is useful for functionalizing the channels of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials such as NU-1000 that offer substitutionally labile zirconium(IV) coordination sites for nonbridging ligands. Each of the 30 or so previous examples relied upon coordination of a carboxylate ligand to achieve incorporation. Here we show that, with appropriate attention to ligand/node stoichiometry, SALI can also be achieved with phosphonate-terminated ligands. Consistent with stronger M(IV) coordination of phosphonates versus carboxylates, this change extends the pH range for retention of incorporated ligands. The difference in coordination strength can be exploited to achieve stepwise incorporation of pairs of ligands-specifically, phosphonates species followed by carboxylate species-without danger of displacement of the first ligand type by the second. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy suggests that the phosphonate ligands are connected to the MOF node as RPO2(OH)¯ species in a moiety that leaves a base-accessible -OH moiety on each bound phosphonate.

Herein, we present the first examples of solvent-assisted linker exchange (SALE) in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs). By exposing the ZIF CdIF-4 to excess solutions of 2-nitroimidazole and 2methylimidazole under solvothermal conditions, we were able to obtain a previously reported ZIF CdIF-9 in high yield, as well as synthesize a new ZIF, Solvent-Assisted Linker-Exchanged Material-1 (SALEM-1). The parent and daughter ZIFs are isostructural (RHO zeolitic topology) and highly porous. Despite the high thermal and chemical stability of ZIFs, single crystal-to-single crystal linker exchange appears to be a suitable tool for the modification and functionalization of these materials. We anticipate that the addition of SALE to the arsenal of known synthetic techniques for ZIFs will significantly facilitate the quest to obtain interesting and useful ZIF compounds, including compounds that cannot be synthesized directly.