Metal-Organic Frameworks and Self-Assembled Supramolecular Coordination Complexes: Comparing and Contrasting the Design, Synthesis, and Functionality of Metal-Organic Materials

A comparison of synthesis and functionality of metal-organic framework (MOF) and self-assembled supramolecular coordination complexes (SCC) is performed. The former are comprised of infinite networks of metal centers or inorganic clusters bridged by simple organic linkers through metal-ligand coordination bonds. The latter encompass discrete systems in which carefully selected metal centers undergo self-assembly with ligands containing multiple binding sites oriented with specific angularity to generate a finite supramolecular complex. Functionalization of both MOFs and SCCs can occur either by preserving or by disrupting the overall topology of the MOMs. It is also possible to initiate postsynthetic modifications (PSMs) of MOFs by treatment with exogenous ligands rather than metals. Both MOFs and SCCs have shown promise in sensing and other photophysical-based applications, since the binding of an analyte to their internal cavities can oftentimes induce electronic structure changes, which result in emission changes.