Our recent presents a synthetic approach to building structures at the macroscopic scale by introducing the idea of augmented reticular chemistry — crystals of metal-organic framework (MOF) are connected by strong bonds into superframeworks (Figure). This strategy escalates the size of the building blocks from molecules to crystals and brings about progression from MOFs to […]
The design and synthesis of materials is a cornerstone of synthetic chemistry. Since its discovery a quarter of a century ago, reticular synthesis of 2D and 3D extended crystalline porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) has been added to the repertoire of synthetic chemists. In 25 Years of Reticular Chemistry we highlight […]
A closer look inside living matter has revealed that basic units of living beings, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and macromolecular assemblies, have sizes on the nanometer scale. Interestingly, these basic units present spectacular reactivity and chemical specificity that were naturally optimized through life evolution. However natural evolution has so far failed to incorporate into […]
Chemists are naturally more interested in what is there rather than what is not. We are spontaneously drawn to the chemical core of compounds and materials: the atoms, the ways in which they are connected and their interactions with electromagnetic radiation, other atoms/molecules or even biological systems. However, when it comes to porous materials we […]
The maturation of synthetic methodologies over the past century has transformed chemistry from a largely empirical to a rational science. Following this golden era of chemical synthesis, any thermodynamically stable molecule can be synthesized given enough resources and time. At this point in time, an apparent lack of major challenges in the field has been […]
In a recent review contribution of Jongkook Hwang, Aleksander Ejsmont, Ralph Freund, Joanna Gościańska, Bernhard Schmidt and us we discuss the challenge to control the morphology of metal oxides, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and porous carbon materials. We hope to bring to the attention of material community the importance of using smart ideas to shape and […]
In a recent contribution of Zhe Ji, Haoze Wang, Stefano Canossa, Omar M. Yaghi and us we developed the concept of MOF pore chemistry with an emphasis on the precise positioning of functionalities. Depending on whether there is an interplay between functionalities, we define three functionalization strategies: site isolation, site coupling, and site cooperation. By […]
“The dose makes the poison!” This adage, attributed to Paracelsus , explains a basic principle of toxicology: a substance can produce a harmful effect only if it reaches a certain “toxic” concentration. In reverse, it also means that a substance is not harmful below this toxic dose, and can even be vitally important for a […]
In our essay we bring to the attention of the material science community the importance of evaluating architectural damage made to porous materials in their prolonged usage. In the article, we present an overview of chemical, mechanical, and thermal origins of architectural damage (see image below) and provide general guidelines for its thorough assessment, prevention, […]
On December 19th, the Basque minister Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu, together with the Minister of Education Cristina Uriarte and the rector of the UPV / EHU Nekane Balluerka, visited the new headquarters of BCMaterials. They all visited the new research facilities that BERC center (Basque Excellence Research Center) offers and discussed the research focus and vision […]