IP Library Granted Patent US 12691441
Granted Patent B2
US 12691441 · App. 18/239,396 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Method of activating metal-organic framework with dimethyl ether

Inventors: Adam J. Matzger (Ann Arbor, MI); Keenan R. Wright (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
B01J31/1691B01J31/1815B01J2231/20B01J2531/0216B01J2531/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12691441
App. No.
18/239,396
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of activating a metal-organic framework material can include solvent exchanging the metal organic framework material with DME and then applying a vacuum to remove the DME and any residual solvent.

Claims (26)

1 . A method of treating a solvent-containing metal-organic framework material to displace the solvent, comprising contacting the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material with a dimethyl ether, wherein the dimethyl ether exchanges with solvent present in pores and coordinated on metal sites of the metal-organic framework material to thereby provide a metal-organic framework material exchanged with dimethyl ether.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material comprises:

flowing the dimethyl ether over the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material continuously, or

filling a container containing the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material with the dimethyl ether and holding for a hold time prior to venting the container.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein flowing the dimethyl ether over the solvent-containing containing metal-organic framework material comprises flowing the dimethyl ether into a container containing the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material continuously while continuously venting the container.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the dimethyl ether is flowed at gaseous pressure and/or liquid pressure.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent present in the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material is one or more of an alcohol, a ketone, and a formamide.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the formamide is diethylformamide (DEF) and/or dimethylformamide (DMF), the alcohol is methanol and/or ethanol, and/or the ketone is acetone.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent present in the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material is dimethylformamide (DMF) and/or methanol.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material comprises coordinatively unsaturated metal sites and/or the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material is thermally sensitive.

9 . A method of activating a solvent-containing metal-organic framework material, comprising:

contacting the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material with a dimethyl ether, wherein the dimethyl ether exchanges with solvent present in pores and coordinated on metal sites of the metal-organic-framework material to thereby provide a metal-organic framework material exchanged with dimethyl ether; and

applying a vacuum to the metal-organic framework material exchanged with dimethyl ether to remove residual solvent and dimethyl ether to thereby activate the metal-organic framework material.

10 . The method of claim 9 , comprising heating the metal-organic framework material exchanged with dimethyl ether while applying the vacuum.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the heating temperature is less than 150° C.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the metal-organic framework material exchanged with dimethyl ether is in an oil-bath while heating and applying the vacuum.

13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the vacuum is applied at room temperature.

14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material comprises coordinatively unsaturated metal sites and/or the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material is thermally sensitive.

15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein contacting the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material comprises:

flowing the dimethyl ether over the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material continuously, or

filling a container containing the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material with the dimethyl ether and holding for a hold time prior to venting the container.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein flowing the dimethyl ether over the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material comprises flowing the dimethyl ether into a container containing the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material continuously while continuously venting the container.

17 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the dimethyl ether is flowed at gaseous pressure and/or liquid pressure.

18 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the solvent present in the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material is one or more of an alcohol, a ketone, and a formamide.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the formamide is diethylformamide (DEF) and/or dimethylformamide (DMF), the alcohol is methanol and/or ethanol, and/or the ketone is acetone.

20 . The method of any one of claim 19 , wherein the solvent present in the solvent-containing metal-organic framework material is dimethylformamide (DMF) and/or methanol.