Metal–Organic Frameworks: Host Photoreactive Properties

This chapter describes the development of photochemical applications of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with a particular emphasis on the use of photochemical reactions leading to structural modifications of functional groups within the framework structure. It also describes how a building-block methodology can be used to introduce photoactive components as part of the framework. The chapter will show how photoactive MOFs can be prepared, whose properties with respect to guest inclusion can be modified for use as sensors. Examples of MOFs that include groups that undergo chemical reactions on photoirradiation, leading to either new chemical species or isomerization reaction, are discussed and the effect of the framework on the stabilization of unusual, reactive species is described. The influence of framework structure on photochemical processes is also discussed focusing on intraframework and interframework guest energy transfer and how such processes can be used to induce unusual photochemical and chemical reactions. Keywords: metal–organic framework; photochemistry; photoreactivity; reactive species; guest inclusion