METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS

The latest developments in the field of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are discussed in this chapter. MOFs have gained incredible amounts of attention in recent years due to the marriage of both organic and inorganic characteristics to form novel functional materials. The ability of the organic linkers and metal ions or clusters to be tuned and the mild conditions under which MOFs are generated provide a straightforward means to rationally design MOFs for future application. The chemically and physically interesting characteristics of MOFs will be demonstrated through presentation of a brief background of synthesis and structural features of molecular networks, and case studies involving supramolecular isomerism, the stepwise synthesis of MOFs from supramolecular cages, porous MOFs for gas storage and selective gas adsorption, and extending and stabilizing MOFs with large pores.