Precise Modulation of the Breathing Behavior and Pore Surface in Zr-MOFs by Reversible Post-Synthetic Variable-Spacer Installation to Fine-Tune the Expansion Magnitude and Sorption Properties

To combine flexibility and modifiability towards a more controllable complexity of MOFs, a post-synthetic variable-spacer installation (PVSI) strategy is used to implement kinetic installation/ uninstallation of secondary ligands into/from a robust yet flexible proto-Zr-MOF. This PVSI process features precise positioning of spacers with different length, size, number, and functionality, enabling accurate fixation of successive breathing stages and fine-tuning of pore surface. It shows unprecedented synthetic tailorability to create complicated MOFs in a predictable way for property modification, for example, CO2 and R22 adsorption/separation, thermal/chemical stability, and extended breathing behavior.