| Abstract |
Phosphonate- and yttrium-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), formulated as [Y(H(5)btp)]center dot 5.5H(2)O (1), [Y(H(5)btp)]center dot 2.5H(2)O (2), (H3O)[Y-2(H(5)btp)(H4btp)]center dot H2O (3), and [Y(H(5)btp)]center dot H2O center dot 0.5(MeOH) (4), were prepared using a green microwave-assisted synthesis methodology which promoted the self-assembly of the tetraphosphonic organic linker [1,1 -biphenyl]-3,3 ,5,5 -tetrayltetrakis(phosphonic acid) (H(8)btp) with Y3+ cations. This new family of functional materials, isolated in bulk quantities, exhibits a remarkable breathing effect. Structural flexibility was thoroughly studied by means of X-ray crystallography, thermogravimetry, variable-temperature X-ray diffraction, and dehydration and rehydration processes, ultimately evidencing a remarkable reversible single-crystal to single-crystal (SC-SC) transformation solely through the loss and gain of crystallization solvent molecules. Topologically, frameworks remained unaltered throughout this interconversion mechanism, with all compounds being binodal 6,6-connected network with a Schafli symbol of \4(13).6(2)\\4(8).6(6).8\. Results show that this is one of the most stable and thermally robust families of tetraphosphonate-based MOFs synthesized reported to date. Porous materials 2 and 3 were further studied to ascertain their performance as heterogeneous catalysts and proton conductors, respectively, with outstanding results being registered for both materials. Compound 2 showed a 94\% conversion of benzaldehyde into (dimethoxymethyl)benzene after just 1 h of reaction, among the best results registered to date for MOF materials. On the other hand, the protonic conductivity of compound 3 at 98\% of relative humidity (2.58 x 10(-2) S cm(-1)) was among the highest registered among MOFs, with the great advantage of the material to be prepared using a simpler and sustainable synthesis methodology, as well as exhibiting a good stability at ambient conditions (temperature and humidity) over time when compared to others. |
