The novel homochiral metal-organic framework CFA-1 (Coordination Framework Augsburg-1), [Zn5(OAc)4(bibta)3], containing the achiral linker {H2-bibta = 1H,1'H-5,5'-bibenzo[d][1,2,3]triazole}, has been synthesised. The reaction of H2-bibta and Zn(OAc)2·2H2O in N-methylformamide (NMF) (90 °C, 3 d) yields CFA-1 as trigonal prismatic single crystals. CFA-1 serves as a convenient precursor for the synthesis of isostructural frameworks with redox-active metal centres, which is demonstrated by the postsynthetic exchange of Zn(2+) by Co(2+) ions. The framework is robust to solvent removal and has been structurally characterized by synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction and solid state NMR measurements ((13)C MAS- and (1)H MAS-NMR at 10 kHz). Results from MAS-NMR and IR spectroscopy studies are corroborated by cluster and periodic DFT calculations performed on CFA-1 cluster fragments.

The novel interpenetrated metal-organic framework CFA-7 (Coordination Framework Augsburg University-7), [Zn5Cl4(tqpt)3], has been synthesized containing the organic linker {H2-tqpt = 6,6,14,14-tetramethyl-6,14-dihydroquinoxalino[2,3-b]phenazinebistriazole}. Reaction of H2-tqpt and anhydrous ZnCl2 in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) yields CFA-7 as pseudo-cubic crystals. CFA-7 serves as precursor for the synthesis of isostructural frameworks with redox-active metal centers, which is demonstrated by postsynthetic metal exchange of Zn(2+) by different M(2+) (M = Co, Ni, Cu) ions. The novel framework is robust upon solvent removal and has been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, TGA and IR spectroscopy, as well as gas sorption (Ar, CO2 and H2).

The novel metal-organic framework CFA-8 (Coordination Framework Augsburg University-8), [Cu2(tqpt)], containing the organic linker H2-tqpt {H2-tqpt = 6,6,14,14-tetramethyl-6,14-dihydroquinoxalino[2,3-b]phenazinebis-triazole}, has been synthesized. Reaction of H2-tqpt and anhydrous CuCl2 in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) yields CFA-8 as orange crystals with lenticular shape. This framework shows a reversible breathing effect and is robust upon solvent removal. It has been characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, TGA, IR spectroscopy and gas sorption measurements. CO adsorption isotherms show that Cu(i) sites in this framework are able to bind carbon monoxide forming a weak complex which has been additionally characterized by IR spectroscopy and synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction measurements.

Metal–organic frameworks with extremely large specific surface areas can reach very high gravimetric hydrogen storage capacities. However, these ultra‐porous materials possess typically a very low density and, therefore, a poor volumetric hydrogen storage capacity. Here we study experimentally the influence of interpenetration on the volumetric and gravimetric hydrogen storage capacity by comparing two metal–organic frameworks of the MFU‐4 family, non‐interpenetrated MFU‐4l and CFA‐7 with an interpenetrated structure. At 77 K the absolute volumetric hydrogen uptake of CFA‐7 is more than twice that of MFU‐4l.