Long‐Term Photostability in Terephthalate Metal–Organic Frameworks

Abstract Prolonged (weeks) UV/Vis irradiation under Ar of UiO‐66(Zr), UiO66 Zr‐NO2, MIL101 Fe, MIL125 Ti‐NH2, MIL101 Cr and MIL101 Cr(Pt) shows that these MOFs undergo photodecarboxylation of benzenedicarboxylate (BDC) linker in a significant percentage depending on the structure and composition of the material. Routine characterization techniques such as XRD, UV/Vis spectroscopy and TGA fail to detect changes in the material, although porosity and surface area change upon irradiation of powders. In contrast to BCD‐containing MOFs, zeolitic imidazolate ZIF‐8 does not evolve CO2 or any other gas upon irradiation.