Dense thiol arrays for metal-organic frameworks: boiling water stability, Hg removal beyond 2 ppb and facile crosslinking

Mu Qing Li, Yan Lung Wong, Tsz Shan Lum, Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung, Paul K.S. Lam, Zhengtao Xu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report a breakthrough in the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) extensively equipped with thiol groups. The main motivation arises from the versatile reactivity of the thiol function, which imparts to the porous host unique potential in metal-uptake, catalytic and electronic properties. The synthesis of thiol-equipped molecules for MOF construction, however, remains challenging, because of the lack of efficient, wide-scope synthetic protocols. By utilizing nucleophilic substitution between benzyl thiol and aromatic halides, and AlCl3-promoted deprotection of the resultant benzyl thioether, we succeeded in attaching thiol groups onto the carboxylate linker backbone in a dense array. The widened access of thiol-equipped MOFs facilitates in-depth exploration of open framework sulfur chemistry, achieving, for instance, fast removal of Hg to below the drinking limit of 2 ppb.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14566-14570
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume6
Issue number30
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes

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