Reactive ZIF-L Crystal Surface for Organophosphorous Degradation and Acetylcholinesterase Reactivation

The importance of crystal surface reactivity of reticular materials is exemplified by exfoliation of nonporous layered zeolitic imidazolate framework Zn(mIm)₂·0.5mImH (ZIF-L, mImH = 2-methylimidazole). Sonication of ZIF-L ethanolic suspensions leads to exfoliation of microcrystals along the 2 0 0 planes, giving rise to 1.5 μm wide × 25 nm thick flakes, which we term ZIF-L_exf. ZIF-L_exf exhibits a high reactivity toward hydrolytic degradation of extremely toxic G-type nerve agents, Soman (GD), and simulant diisopropylfluorophosphate (DIFP). The reactivity of the crystal surface of ZIF-L_exf toward P-F bond breakdown gives rise to framework structural degradation, releasing nucleophilic mImH molecules that reactivate organophosphate-inhibited acetylcholinesterase within 10 min. This detoxification process can be taken as a proof of concept for reversing organophosphorous poisoning. More generally, this approach underscores the importance of the crystal surface nature and composition to control the reactivity of reticular materials.