Classification and role of modulators on crystal engineering of metal organic frameworks (MOFs)

The engineering application of metal organic framework (MOFs) is closely related to physical properties such as crystal morphology, size, porosity, crystallinity, defectivity, topological structure and surface chemistry. The application of modulator has become one of the effective ways to achieve the objective. This review classifies modulator reasonably according to their functions, meanwhile, the influence of the modulator on the crystal structure was given sufficient attention. The carboxyl acid length of the modulator, the acidity and concentration of the modulator and the solvent effect are all the key factors affecting the coordination modulation, which has been paid attention in this review. Examples of the relationship between the modulator and the adsorptive, catalytic, fluorescence detection and photoelectric properties of MOFs are provided. The constraints in the application of modulated self-assembly of MOFs were discussed.