Rapid synthesis of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanocrystals in an aqueous systemElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Details of synthesis and characterization of nano-sized ZIF-8 crystals, FESEM pictures and in situ non-ambient XRD patterns. See DOI: 10.1039/c0cc05002d

We report here the first example of ZIF materials synthesized in aqueous solution. The synthesis was performed at room temperature and typically took several minutes compared to hours and days in non-aqueous conditions. The obtained product were ZIF-8 nanocrystals having size of ∼85 nm and showed excellent thermal, hydrothermal and solvothermal stabilities. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanocrystals with hexagonal shape were synthesized quickly in pure aqueous solution at room temperature.