Chemical modification of a bridging ligand inside a metal-organic framework while maintaining the 3D structure

A new metal-organic framework (MOF) with amino groups situated inside the pores has been synthesized. This MOF has been modified by post-synthesis with two different functionalities. The crystal structures of the two functionalized MOFs clearly demonstrate that it is possible to transform the cavities of a MOE without modifying its original 3D structure. These unprecedented results open up tremendous possibilities in the field of MOE chemistry because many potential applications in the fields of catalysis, material science or nanochemistry can be envisaged when applying the reported synthetic pathway. (C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008).