Teppei Yamada

Rational Designs for Highly Proton-Conductive Metal−Organic Frameworks

A novel metal-organic framework (MOF), (NH(4))(2)(adp)[Zn(2)(ox)(3)] x 3 H(2)O (1) was synthesized and its structure was determined. We propose three types of rational design to introduce proton carriers into MOFs. The simplest method is to introduce them directly as counterions such as NH(4)(+), H(3)O(+), and HSO(4)(-) into the pores of frameworks (type I). The second is to put acid groups on frameworks, the protons being provided from them (type II). The third is to incorporate acidic molecules into voids (type III). 1 demonstrated a combination of two of the concepts by introducing NH(4)(+) ions using the anionic framework (type I) and putting carboxyl end groups of adipic acid in a honeycomb-shaped void (type III). 1 showed a superprotonic conductivity of 10(-2) S cm(-1) at ambient temperature, comparable to organic polymers such as Nafion, which is in practical use in fuel cells. This is the first example of an MOF to exhibit a superprotonic conductivity of 10(-2) S cm(-1) at ambient temperature.

Wide Control of Proton Conductivity in Porous Coordination Polymers

The proton conductivities of the porous coordination polymers M(OH)(bdc-R) [H(2)bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid; M = Al, Fe; R = H, NH(2), OH, (COOH)(2)] were investigated under humid conditions. Good correlations among pK(a), proton conductivity, and activation energy were observed. Fe(OH)(bdc-(COOH)(2)), having carboxy group and the lowest pK(a), showed the highest proton conductivity and the lowest activation energy in this system. This is the first example in which proton conductivity has been widely controlled by substitution of ligand functional groups in an isostructural series.

Designer coordination polymers: dimensional crossover architectures and proton conduction

Coordination polymers (CPs) have large degrees of freedom in framework compositions and in the structures and environment of the inner pores. This review focuses on the recent significant progress achieved by controlling these degrees of freedom. Two breakthroughs are reviewed for constructing sophisticated structures of CP frameworks, especially in dimensional crossover regions. The first is the synthesis of quasi one-dimensional halogen-bridged coordinative tubes by applying state-of-the-art techniques of coordination chemistry. The electronic state of the coordinative tube was studied by structural, spectroscopic and theoretical methods and found to be distinct from conventional one-dimensional systems. The second breakthrough is the achievement of a quasi-two-dimensional architecture by combining Langmuir-Blodgett and layer-by-layer methods. Two-dimensional LB CP films were prepared on liquid; the films were stacked layer by layer, and a crystalline quasi-two-dimensional structure was constructed. This review also covers the design of the environment of the inner pore, where hydrogen bond networks with various acidic sites were modified. By appropriate design of the hydrogen bond network, proton-conductive CPs are invented, which are summarized in this review. Types of proton donor sites are discussed and classified, and superprotonic conductive CPs were achieved in these investigations. These results will provide new strategies for constructing functional materials for smart devices.

High proton conductivity of one-dimensional ferrous oxalate dihydrate

Proton conductive materials become important for their utility to electrolytes of fuel cells or sensors. The proton conductivity of a one-dimensional coordination polymer, ferrous oxalate dihydrate, was evaluated and found to show 1.3 mS cm(-1) at ambient temperature. The proton conductivity of this compound is extremely high at ambient temperature without any strong acidic group, and this result is suggestive of new proton conductive materials consisting of coordination polymers.

Promotion of Low-Humidity Proton Conduction by Controlling Hydrophilicity in Layered Metal–Organic Frameworks

We controlled the hydrophilicity of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to achieve high proton conductivity and high adsorption of water under low humidity conditions, by employing novel class of MOFs, {NR(3)(CH(2)COOH)}[MCr(ox)(3)]·nH(2)O (abbreviated as R-MCr, where R = Me (methyl), Et (ethyl), or Bu (n-butyl), and M = Mn or Fe): Me-FeCr, Et-MnCr, Bu-MnCr, and Bu-FeCr. The cationic components have a carboxyl group that functions as the proton carrier. The hydrophilicity of the cationic ions was tuned by the NR(3) residue to decrease with increasing bulkiness of the residue: {NMe(3)(CH(2)COOH)}(+) > {NEt(3)(CH(2)COOH)}(+) > {NBu(3)(CH(2)COOH)}(+). The proton conduction of the MOFs increased with increasing hydrophilicity of the cationic ions. The most hydrophilic sample, Me-FeCr, adsorbed a large number of water molecules and showed a high proton conductivity of ~10(-4) S cm(-1), even at a low humidity of 65% relative humidity (RH), at ambient temperature. Notably, this is the highest conductivity among the previously reported proton-conducting MOFs that operate under low RH conditions.

High Proton Conductivity by a Metal–Organic Framework Incorporating Zn8O Clusters with Aligned Imidazolium Groups Decorating the Channels

A novel metal-organic framework, [{(Zn(0.25))(8)(O)}Zn(6)(L)(12)(H(2)O)(29)(DMF)(69)(NO(3))(2)](n) (1) {H(2)L = 1,3-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)imidazolium}, has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions in good yield. It shows a Zn(8)O cluster that is coordinated to six ligands and forms an overall three-dimensional structure with channels along the crystallographic a and b axes. The imidazolium groups of the ligand moiety are aligned in the channels. The channels are not empty but are occupied by a large number of DMF and water molecules. Upon heating, these solvent molecules can be removed without breakdown of the overall structure of the framework as shown by variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction patterns. Of great interest is the fact that the compound exhibits high proton conductivity with a low activation energy that is comparable to those of Nafion presently used in fuel cells.

Superprotonic conductivity in a highly oriented crystalline metal-organic framework nanofilm.

The electrical properties of a highly oriented crystalline MOF nanofilm were studied. This nanofilm has low activation energy and a proton conductivity that is among the highest value reported for MOF materials. The study uncovered the reasons for the excellent performance of this nanofilm and revealed a new pathway for proton transport in MOF materials; besides the channels inside a MOF, the surface of the MOF nanocrystal can also dominate proton transport.

Proton-Conductive Magnetic Metal–Organic Frameworks, {NR3(CH2COOH)}[MaIIMbIII(ox)3]: Effect of Carboxyl Residue upon Proton Conduction

Proton-conductive magnetic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), {NR(3)(CH(2)COOH)}[M(a)(II)M(b)(III)(ox)(3)] (abbreviated as R-M(a)M(b): R = ethyl (Et), n-butyl (Bu); M(a)M(b) = MnCr, FeCr, FeFe) have been studied. The following six MOFs were prepared: Et-MnCr·2H(2)O, Et-FeCr·2H(2)O, Et-FeFe·2H(2)O, Bu-MnCr, Bu-FeCr, and Bu-FeFe. The structure of Bu-MnCr was determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data: trigonal, R3c (#161), a = 9.3928(13) Å, c = 51.0080(13) Å, Z = 6. The crystal consists of oxalate-bridged bimetallic layers interleaved by {NBu(3)(CH(2)COOH)}(+) ions. Et-MnCr·2H(2)O and Bu-MnCr (R-MnCr MOFs) show a ferromagnetic ordering with T(C) of 5.5-5.9 K, and Et-FeCr·2H(2)O and Bu-FeCr (R-FeCr MOFs) also show a ferromagnetic ordering with T(C) of 11.0-11.5 K. Et-FeFe·2H(2)O and Bu-FeFe (R-FeFe MOFs) belong to the class II of mixed-valence compounds and show the magnetism characteristic of Néel N-type ferrimagnets. The Et-MOFs (Et-MnCr·2H(2)O, Et-FeCr·2H(2)O and Et-FeFe·2H(2)O) show high proton conduction, whereas the Bu-MOFs (Bu-MnCr, Bu-FeCr, and Bu-FeFe) show moderate proton conduction. Together with water adsorption isotherm studies, the significance of the carboxyl residues as proton carriers is revealed. The R-MnCr MOFs and the R-FeCr MOFs are rare examples of coexistent ferromagnetism and proton conduction, and the R-FeFe MOFs are the first examples of coexistent Néel N-type ferrimagnetism and proton conduction.

Control of crystalline proton-conducting pathways by water-induced transformations of hydrogen-bonding networks in a metal-organic framework.

Structure-defined metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are of interest because rational design and construction allow us to develop good proton conductors or possibly control the proton conductivity in solids. We prepared a highly proton-conductive MOF (NH4)2(adp)[Zn2(ox)3]·nH2O (abbreviated to 1·nH2O, adp: adipic acid, ox: oxalate, n = 0, 2, 3) having definite crystal structures and showing reversible structural transformations among the anhydrate (1), dihydrate (1·2H2O), and trihydrate (1·3H2O) phases. The crystal structures of all of these phases were determined by X-ray crystallography. Hydrogen-bonding networks consisting of ammonium ions, water molecules, and carboxylic acid groups of the adipic acids were formed inside the two-dimensional interlayer space in hydrated 1·2H2O and 1·3H2O. The crystal system of 1 or 1·2H2O (P21/c, No. 14) was changed into that of 1·3H2O (P1̅, No. 2), depending on water content because of rearrangement of guests and acidic molecules. Water molecules play a key role in proton conduction as conducting media and serve as triggers to change the proton conductivity through reforming hydrogen-bonding networks by water adsorption/desorption processes. Proton conductivity was consecutively controlled in the range from ∼10(-12) S cm(-1) (1) to ∼10(-2) S cm(-1) (1·3H2O) by the humidity. The relationships among the structures of conducting pathways, adsorption behavior, and proton conductivity were investigated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of the control of a crystalline proton-conducting pathway by guest adsorption/desorption to control proton conductivity using MOFs.

Protection and Deprotection Approach for the Introduction of Functional Groups into Metal−Organic Frameworks

A noncoordinating hydroxyl group was introduced into a metal-organic framework (MOF) by a procedure involving a protection, complexation, and deprotection (PCD) reaction sequence, and the crystal structure of a novel MOF, [Zn(dhybdc)(bpy)] x 4 DMF (1), was determined. 1 did not have an interpenetrated structure. The three-dimensional pores had large apertures. Results showed that the PCD method is a novel synthetic method for the introduction of various functional groups into MOFs.