Transient intermediate in the formation of an amorphous metal-organic framework.

Sapnik, Adam F; Thorne, Michael F; Castillo-Blas, Celia; Keenan, Luke; Johnson, Timothy; Bennett, Thomas D · Soft Matter · 2024

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Amorphous metal-organic frameworks are rarely formed <i>via</i> direct synthesis. Our limited understanding of their atomic assembly in solution prevents full exploitation of their unique structural complexity. Here, we use <i>in situ</i> synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy with sub-second time resolution to probe the formation of the amorphous Fe-BTC framework. Using a combination of spectral fingerprinting, linear combination analysis, and principal component analysis coupled with kinetic analyses, we reveal a multi-stage formation mechanism that, crucially, proceeds <i>via</i> the generation of a transient intermediate species.