A Mechanochemically Active Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) Based on Cu-Bis-NHC-Linkers: Synthesis and Mechano-Catalytic Activation

Shinde, K., et al. Polymers, 2022, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202200207

Porous coordination polymers, more commonly known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), are constructed from metal ions and organic linkers which form a robust network-like structure similar to very dense polymeric networks. We report on the mechanochemical activation of a MOF linking a mechanochemically triggered copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) with an NHC-MOF. A Cu(I) bis(NHC) is embedded into the MOF analogous to ([Zn4O{Cu(L)2}2]) using the organic bis-NHC ligand, in turn triggering a CuAAC with conversions up to 26.5%. With this knowledge in solution, there are prospects to transfer this mechanochemical activity into polymer networks with embedded MOFs to detect stress in hybrid materials.