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A flexible copper MOF as a carboxylate-specific crystalline sponge for structure solution using X-ray and electron
Russell M Main1, Daniel N Rainer2, Marta Bauzá1,3
1EaStCHEM School of Chemistry Purdie Building, North Haugh St Andrews KY16 9ST UK rmm29@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Chemical Science
|November 21, 2025
Summary
A novel copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF) acts as a crystalline sponge, adapting its pore size to selectively adsorb molecules like ibuprofen. This flexible MOF can be integrated into cotton fabric for practical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Crystallography
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are advanced porous materials with tunable structures.
- Developing MOFs with adaptive pore sizes is crucial for selective molecular adsorption.
- Copper-based MOFs offer unique coordination chemistry for functional applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a new flexible copper-based MOF.
- To investigate the MOF's ability to selectively adsorb guest molecules of varying sizes.
- To explore the MOF's potential as a crystalline sponge adsorbent.
Main Methods:
- Solvothermal synthesis of the copper-2,3-dihydroxyterephthalate MOF.
- Single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction for crystal structure determination.
- Adsorption studies with carboxylate-containing molecules (acetate, benzoic acid, ibuprofen).
Main Results:
- A flexible MOF, Cu12(dhtp)4(H2dhtp)3(CH3CO2)2·2DMF·10H2O, was successfully synthesized.
- The MOF exhibits adaptive pore sizes, accommodating and coordinating guest molecules.
- The MOF demonstrated selective adsorption of ibuprofen, functioning as a crystalline sponge.
- MOF grown on cotton fabric showed similar ibuprofen adsorption capabilities.
Conclusions:
- The new MOF possesses flexible pores capable of size-selective guest molecule adsorption.
- Its crystalline sponge behavior opens avenues for applications in separation and purification.
- Integration onto a fabric substrate enhances its practicality as an adsorbent.
