Improved moisture resistance of a new Zn4O-based metal-organic framework by introducing hydrophobic phenyl groups

Abstract A new Zn 4 O–based isoreticular MOF, Zn 4 O(CH 3 PhTDC) 3 ( IFMC-29 , IFMC corresponds to Institute of Functional Material Chemistry) has been synthesized by using an asymmetrical rigid carboxylate ligand 3-methyl-4-phenylthieno[2,3- b ]thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (H 2 CH 3 PhTDC). Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) experiments and contact angle measurements indicate that IFMC-29 possesses improved moisture resistance, which is attributed to the introduction of hydrophobic phenyl groups around the water-sensitive Zn 4 O(COO) 6 clusters. At 77 K and 1 bar, IFMC-29 displays a relatively high hydrogen storage capacity (1.75 w%) among the Zn 4 O-based isoreticular MOFs. This work can provide a useful strategy for designing water-stable Zn 4 O-based MOFs in practical application.