Molekyylikehyksinä

Molekyylikehyksinä refers to a class of porous materials constructed from discrete molecular building blocks, typically metal ions or clusters linked by organic ligands. These frameworks possess a highly ordered, three-dimensional structure with well-defined pores and channels. The size and shape of these pores can be precisely tuned by judicious selection of the metal nodes and organic linkers, allowing for selective adsorption, separation, and catalysis of guest molecules.

The field of molecular frameworks, often referred to as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) or Coordination Polymers (CPs), has seen rapid growth due to their exceptional surface areas, tunable porosity, and diverse chemical functionalities. These materials are synthesized through coordination chemistry, where metal ions or clusters self-assemble with organic linkers under specific reaction conditions. The resulting structures can range from simple one-dimensional chains to complex, interpenetrated three-dimensional networks.

The applications of molekyylikehyksinä are vast and continue to expand. They are actively investigated for gas storage, particularly hydrogen and methane, due to their high capacity and selectivity. Their porous nature also makes them excellent candidates for gas separation, such as carbon dioxide capture from flue gas or purification of natural gas. Furthermore, molekyylikehyksinä can act as catalysts or catalyst supports in various chemical reactions, leveraging their high surface area and the ability to incorporate active sites within their frameworks. Other potential applications include drug delivery, sensing, and water purification.