Structure and properties of Al-MIL-53-ADP, a breathing MOF based on the aliphatic linker molecule adipic acid

The new aluminium based metal-organic framework [Al(OH)(O2C-C4H8-CO2)]·H2O denoted as Al-MIL-53-ADP-lp (lp stands for large pore) was synthesised under solvothermal conditions. This solid is an analogue of the archetypical aluminium terephthalate Al-MIL-53 based on the aliphatic single-chain linker molecule adipic acid (H2ADP, hexanedioic acid). In contrast to its aromatic counterparts, Al-MIL-53-ADP exhibits a structural breathing behaviour solely upon dehydration/rehydration. The crystal structure of the anhydrous compound denoted as Al-MIL-53-ADP-np (np stands for narrow pore) was determined by a combination of forcefield-based computations and Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction data while the structure of the hydrated form Al-MIL-53-ADP-lp was derived computationally by a combination of force field based methods and Density Functional Theory calculations. Both structures were further supported by (1)H, (13)C and (27)Al high-resolution NMR MAS 1D data coupled again with simulations. Al-MIL-53-ADP was further characterised by means of vibrational spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetry and water vapour sorption.