High-Nuclear Alkynyl Cu(I) Cluster-Based Framework for Efficient Xe/Kr Separation

MOFs based on high-nuclear clusters as building blocks are specifically attractive but generally unsuitable for efficient Xe/Kr selective separation. In this study, a rare high-nuclear alkynyl Cu12 cluster-based framework with 1D microchannel (Cu12) has been successfully developed. Furthermore, the presence of rich tert-butyl and benzene groups within the channels of Cu12 creates a significant differentiation in the adsorption and binding affinity for Xe and Kr, enabling Cu12 to efficiently separate Xe from Kr. Significantly, Cu12 not only presents the first coinage metal cluster-based framework for the challenging gas separation but also possesses the largest cluster core of MOFs reported to date for efficient Xe/Kr separation.