Synthesis, characterization and post-modification of metal-organic frameworks related to MIL-101

Abstract

A novel class of extended solid has been being studied: the metal organic frameworks or MOFs, which are structures builded by transition metal ions or clusters bounded by rigid organic ligands, yielding an extended porous framework. These materials show high surface area and low density, being widely applied in gas storage and separation and as heterogeneous catalysts. Recently, new MOFs were synthesized using, as inorganic clusters, trinuclear complexes of transition metals. Among these, MIL-101 is an interesting one because this material shows a record surface area. MIL-101 is formed by the coordination of trimetric clusters of chromium (III) and terephthalic acid. This project aims to study modifications in the synthesis of this type of material in two different approaches. First, variation of the organic linker, using some terephthalic acid derivatives. Second, variation of the transition metal, using ruthenium (III) salts or trinuclear complexes. Furthermore, surface functionalization can be explored using functional groups incorporated in some materials produced by the first part of the project. (AU)