We discuss a recently developed approach to formalize the analysis of extended architectures by successive simplifications of a crystal structure perceived as a periodic net. The approach has been implemented into the program package TOPOS that allows one to simplify and classify coordination polymers of any complexity in an automated mode. Using TOPOS, we retrieved 6620 3-periodic coordination polymers from the Cambridge Structural Database and represented them in a standard way as underlying nets. The topological classification of both 975 interpenetrating and 5645 single 3-periodic underlying nets has been performed and compared. The up-to-date methods for prediction of the topology of underlying nets are discussed and the ways to develop reticular chemistry are outlined.

As an alternative technology to energy intensive distillations, adsorptive separation by porous solids offers lower energy cost and higher efficiency. Herein we report a topology-directed design and synthesis of a series of Zr-based metal-organic frameworks with optimized pore structure for efficient separation of C6 alkane isomers, a critical step in the petroleum refining process to produce gasoline with high octane rating. Zr6O4(OH)4(bptc)3 adsorbs a large amount of n-hexane but excluding branched isomers. The n-hexane uptake is ~70% higher than that of a benchmark adsorbent, zeolite-5A. A derivative structure, Zr6O4(OH)8(H2O)4(abtc)2, is capable of discriminating all three C6 isomers and yielding a high separation factor for 3-methylpentane over 2,3-dimethylbutane. This property is critical for producing gasoline with further improved quality. Multicomponent breakthrough experiments provide a quantitative measure of the capability of these materials for separation of C6 alkane isomers. A detailed structural analysis reveals the unique topology, connectivity and relationship of these compounds.

We report three electrically conductive metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on a tetrathiafulvalene linker and La3+.

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) show great potential in many applications, but few structure–property correlations have been explored in this field. In this work, we report that self-assembly of a rigid and planar ligand gives rise to flat hexagonal honeycomb motifs which are extended into undulated two-dimensional (2D) layers and finally generate three polycatenated HOFs with record complexity. This kind of undulation is absent in the 2D layers built from a very similar but nonplanar ligand, indicating that a slight torsion of ligand produces overwhelming structural change. This change delivers materials with unique stepwise adsorption behaviors under a certain pressure originating from the movement between mutually interwoven hexagonal networks. Meanwhile, high chemical stability, phase transformation, and preferential adsorption of aromatic compounds were observed in these HOFs. The results presented in this work would help us to understand the self-assembly behaviors of HOFs and shed light on the rational design of HOF materials for practical applications.