Preparation of functionalized zeolitic frameworks

1. A zeolitic framework (“ZIF”) comprising a plurality of the structure M-L-M, wherein M comprises a transition metal and L is a linking moiety, and wherein the framework has either POZ or MOZ topology, a thermostability range of at least up to 500° C. and a Langmuir surface area of about 1,240 m 2 /g −1 or 780 m 2 /g −1 or a BET method surface area of about 1,050 m 2 /g −1 or 595 m 2 /g −1 .

2. The zeolitic framework of claim 1 , wherein the zeolitic framework comprises a plurality of pores, each of the plurality of pores comprises a sufficient number of accessible sites for atomic or molecular adsorption.

3. The zeolitic framework of claim 1 , further comprising a guest species.

4. The zeolitic framework of claim 3 , wherein the guest species increase the surface area of the zeolitic framework.

5. The zeolitic framework of claim 3 , wherein the guest species is selected from the group consisting of organic molecules with a molecular weight less than 100 g/mol, organic molecules with a molecular weight less than 300 g/mol, organic molecules with a molecular weight less than 600 g/mol, organic molecules with a molecular weight greater than 600 g/mol, organic molecules containing at least one aromatic ring, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metal complexes having formula M m X n where M is metal ion, X is selected from the group consisting of a Group 14 through Group 17 anion, m is an integer from 1 to 10, and n is a number selected to charge balance the metal cluster so that the metal cluster has a predetermined electric charge; and combinations thereof.

6. The zeolitic framework of claim 1 , further comprising an interpenetrating zeolitic framework that increases the surface area of the zeolitic framework.

7. The zeolitic framework of claim 1 , wherein the framework comprises a plurality M-L-M structures of structure II:

wherein,

M 3 and M 4 are each individually selected transition metals;

A 1 , A 2 , A 3 and A 4 are each individually C or N, and if A 1 is N then R 5 is absent, and/or if A 4 is N then R 8 is absent;

R 4 is a non-sterically hindering group that does not interfere with M 3 or M 4 ;

R 5 and R 8 are each individually an alkyl, hydrogen, halo, cyano, or nitro; and

R 6 and R 7 are each individually selected electron withdrawing groups.

8. The zeolitic framework of claim 7 , wherein the framework further comprises one or more M-L-M structures of structure I and/or structure III:

wherein,

M 1 , M 2 M 5 , and M 6 are each individually selected transition metals;

A 5 , A 6 and A 7 are each individually C or N, and if A 6 is N then R 11 is absent, and/or if A 7 is N then R 12 is absent;

R 1 and R 9 are each individually selected non-sterically hindering groups which do not interfere with M 1 , M 2 , M 5 , or M 6 ; and

R 2 , R 3 , R 10 , R 11 , and R 12 are each individually an alkyl, hydrogen, halo, cyano, or nitro.

9. The zeolitic framework of claim 7 , further comprising an adsorbed chemical species.

10. The zeolitic framework of claim 9 , wherein the adsorbed chemical species is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, amines, methane, oxygen, argon, nitrogen, argon, organic dyes, polycyclic organic molecules, and combinations thereof.

11. The zeolitic framework of claim 8 , wherein R 1 , R 4 and R 9 are individually electron donor groups.

12. The zeolitic framework of claim 8 , wherein R 1 , R 4 and R 9 are each individually selected from the group consisting of H, methyl, halo, cyano, and ethyl.

13. The zeolitic framework of claim 7 , wherein the electron withdrawing group is selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a nitrile, and a carbonyl.

14. The zeolitic framework on claim 13 , wherein the electron withdrawing group is a halogen.

15. The zeolitic framework of claim 14 , wherein the halogen is Cl.

16. The zeolitic framework of claim 8 , wherein R 10 , R 11 and R 12 are each individually selected from the group consisting of a nitro-, cyano-, fluoro- and chloro-group.

17. The zeolitic framework of claim 1 , wherein the framework comprises imidazolate and/or imidazolate derivative linking moieties.

18. The zeolitic framework of claim 7 , wherein the framework comprises one or more structures selected from the group consisting of:

19. The zeolitic framework of claim 1 , wherein the zeolitic framework comprises a plurality of different transition metals.

20. The zeolitic framework of claim 1 , wherein the zeolitic framework comprises a plurality of different M-L-M structures, wherein at least one of the M-L-M structures comprise structure II:

wherein,

M 3 and M 4 are each individually selected transition metals;

A 1 , A 2 , A 3 and A 4 are each individually C or N, and if A 1 is N then R 5 is absent, and/or if A 4 is N then R 8 is absent;

R 4 is a non-sterically hindering group that does not interfere with M 3 or M 4 ;

R 5 and R 8 are each individually an alkyl, hydrogen, halo, cyano, or nitro; and

R 6 and R 7 are each individually selected electron withdrawing groups.

21. The zeolitic framework of claim 7 , wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg, Lr, Rf, Db, Sg, Bh, Hs, Mt, Ds, Rg and Uub.

22. The zeolitic framework of claim 17 , wherein the imidazolate or imidazolate derivative is selected from the group consisting of a substituted imidazolate; a benzimidazolate comprising a methyl-, nitro-, cyano-, or chloro-group; an azabenzimidazolate; and an azabenzimidazolate wherein one or two carbon atoms on the benzimidazolate are replaced by nitrogen.

23. A gas storage device comprising a zeolitic framework of claim 7 .

24. A catalyst substrate comprising a zeolitic framework of claim 7 .

25. A device for the sorptive uptake of a chemical species, the device comprising a sorbent comprising a zeolitic framework (ZIF) of claim 7 for the uptake of the chemical species.

26. The device of claim 25 , wherein the uptake is reversible.

27. The device of claim 25 , wherein the sorbent is comprised of discrete sorptive particles.

28. The device of claim 27 , wherein the sorptive particles are embedded into or fixed to a solid liquid- and/or gas-permeable three-dimensional support.

29. The device of claim 27 , wherein the sorptive particles have pores for the reversible uptake or storage of liquids or gases and wherein the sorptive particles can reversibly adsorb or absorb the liquid or gas.

30. The device of claim 25 , wherein the chemical species is in the form of a gas.

31. The device of claim 25 , wherein the chemical species is in the form of a liquid.

32. The device of claim 25 , wherein the device is a storage unit.

33. The device of claim 25 , wherein the adsorbed chemical species is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, amines, methane, oxygen, argon, nitrogen, argon, organic dyes, polycyclic organic molecules, and combinations thereof.

34. A method for the sorptive uptake of a chemical species, the method comprising contacting the chemical species with a sorbent comprising a zeolitic framework (ZIF) of claim 7 .

35. The method of claim 34 , wherein the uptake is reversible.

36. The method of claim 34 , wherein the adsorbed chemical species is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, amines, methane, oxygen, argon, nitrogen, argon, organic dyes, polycyclic organic molecules, and combinations thereof.

37. The method of claim 34 , wherein the uptake of a chemical species comprises storage of the chemical species.

38. The method of claim 37 , wherein the chemical species is stored under conditions suitable for use as an energy source.

39. A method for the sorptive uptake of a chemical species, the method comprising contacting the chemical species with a device of claim 25 .