Multifunctional Behavior of Sulfonate-Based Hydrolytically Stable Microporous Metal–Organic Frameworks

An isostructural pair of extremely rare, permanently microporous sulfonate-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) having a novel topology has been reported here by integration of rationally chosen building units. The compounds bear polar sites in the pore surfaces and exhibit selective adsorption of CO₂, which features among the highest reported uptakes in the domain of organosulfonate-based MOFs. The compounds also exhibit multifunctionality for C₆-cyclic hydrocarbon separation and selective detection of neurotransmitter nitric oxide. Such multifunctional behavior on the basis of permanent porosity has been rarely observed for sulfonate-based MOFs. The efficacy of the synthesis approach is further highlighted by the resistance over a wide pH range and promising feasibility of reticular chemistry in porous organosulfonate-based systems.