Modular design of domain assembly in porous coordination polymer crystals via reactivity-directed crystallization...

The mesoscale design of domain assembly is crucial for controlling the bulk properties of solids. Herein, we propose a modular design of domain assembly in porous coordination polymer crystals via exquisite control of the kinetics of the crystal formation process. Employing precursors of comparable chemical reactivity affords the preparation of homogeneous solid-solution type crystals. Employing precursors of distinct chemical reactivity affords the preparation of heterogeneous phase separated crystals. We have utilized this reactivity-directed crystallization process for the facile synthesis of mesoscale architecture which are either solid-solution or phase-separated type crystals. This approach can be also adapted to ternary phase-separated type crystals from one-pot reaction. Phase-separated type frameworks possess unique gas adsorption properties that are not observed in single-phasic compounds. The results shed light on the importance of crystal formation kinetics for control of mesoscale domains in order to create porous solids with unique cooperative functionality.