Molecular Spheres Inspired Self-Assembly of Hydrolytically Stable Mesoporous Zirconium-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks

Inspired by the elegant construction of molecular spheres, solvothermal reactions between ZrCl4 and a bent ditopic carboxylate-based linker afforded two framework-isometric zirconium-based MOFs possessing bon and reo topologies, respectively. Both MOFs demonstrate not only hierarchically mesoporous porosities but also excellent hydrolytic stabilities. Moreover, both phases exhibit relatively high gravimetric energy gas storage working capacities between 80 and 5 bar, i.e., 3.87 wt % H2 at 77 K for bon phase and 0.26 g (CH4) g–1 at 273 K for the reo phase, respectively.