Melt-quenched carboxylate metal–organic framework glasses

Although carboxylate-based frameworks are commonly used architectures in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), liquid/glass MOFs have thus far mainly been obtained from azole- or weakly coordinating ligand-based frameworks. This is because strong coordination bonds of carboxylate ligands to metals block the thermal vitrification pathways of carboxylate-based MOFs. In this study, we present the example of carboxylate-based melt-quenched MOF glasses comprising Mg 2+ or Mn 2+ with an aliphatic carboxylate ligand, adipate. These MOFs have a low melting temperature ( T m ) of 284 °C and 238 °C, respectively, compared to zeolitic-imidazolate framework (ZIF) glasses, and superior mechanical properties in terms of hardness and elastic modulus. The low T m may be attributed to the flexibility and low symmetry of the aliphatic carboxylate ligand, which raises the entropy of fusion (Δ S fus ), and the lack of crystal field stabilization energy on metal ions, reducing enthalpy of fusion (Δ H fus ). This research will serve as a cornerstone for the integration of numerous carboxylate-based MOFs into MOF glasses. Many MOFs feature carboxylate ligands with strong coordination bonds, hindering thermal melting. Here, authors present a meltable carboxylate MOF designed with a thermodynamically favored component.