We report a new water-stable multivariate (MTV) metal–organic
framework (MOF) prepared by combining two different oxamide-based
metalloligands derived from the natural amino acids l-serine
and l-methionine. This unique material features hexagonal
channels decorated with two types of flexible and functional “arms”
(−CH2OH and −CH2CH2SCH3) capable of enabling, synergistically, the simultaneous
and efficient removal of both inorganic (heavy metals such as Hg2+, Pb2+, and Tl+) and organic (dyes
such as Pyronin Y, Auramine O, Brilliant green, and Methylene blue)
contaminants, and, in addition, this MTV-MOF is completely reusable.
Single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements allowed solving the
crystal structure of a host–guest adsorbate, containing both
HgCl2 and Methylene blue, and offered unprecedented snapshots
of this unique dual capture process. This is the very first time that
a MOF can be used for the removal of all sorts of pollutants from
water resources, thus opening new perspectives for this emerging type
of MTV-MOF.