Porous Zn-MOF with two diverse cages synthesized using functionalized biphenyl tricarboxylic acid: CO2 selective adsorption and fixation

A cage-like MOF has demonstrated tremendous potential in gas selective adsorption and CO2 catalysis due to its distinctive structural features. Accordingly, a novel cage-like MOF <bold>1</bold> was synthesized using the biphenyl tricarboxylic acid ligand, (1,1 '-biphenyl)-2,4,6-tricarboxylic acid (H3L), and Zn(II) via a solvothermal reaction. <bold>1</bold> exhibited a porous three-dimensional framework formed by interconnected dodecahedron (5.2 & Aring;) and octahedron (4.7 & Aring;) cages, which was based on an interesting 13-connected <bold>fcu</bold> topology. Significantly, <bold>1a</bold> has excellent adsorption properties for C2H2 and CO2 and selective separation performance for C2H2/CO2, C2H2/CH4, and CO2/CH4. Moreover, under the action of the Lewis acid sites, <bold>1a</bold> also shows highly efficient and recyclable catalytic properties for the reaction of CO2 with various epoxides.