A new 2-fold homointerpenetrated
metal–organic framework
with one-dimensional helical channels along [100] direction with the
formula {[Zn(NO2-BDC)]·DMF}
n
(MUT-2) was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal
X-ray crystallography. This MOF with NO2-decorated channels
was obtained from the self-assembly of 2-nitroterephthalic acid (NO2-H2BDC) as the organic ligand and Zn(NO3)2·6H2O as metallic nodes. The structural
properties of the MOF were estimated theoretically by computational
simulations. In addition, the potential of MUT-2 for drug loading,
i.e. 5-FU as an anticancer drug molecule model, was evaluated computationally.
The results were compared with those for MOF-123, which has also been
studied for the same purpose, and MUT-2 performed better than MOF-123.
The obtained results show a higher surface area (1250 m2/g), larger free volume (60%), and better drug loading (841 mg/g)
for MUT-2 in comparison with MOF-123 with 1120 m2/g surface
area, 47% free volume, and 453.9 mg/g drug loading.