Material Preparation Information File (MPIF): A Community-Driven Standard for Reporting MOF Syntheses.

Abstract

The rapid growth of research on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and related porous materials has highlighted a critical need for standardized reporting of synthetic procedures and material properties. Synthesis consistency is often compromised by incomplete protocols and inconsistent nomenclature, with even well-established MOFs exhibiting substantial variability depending on subtle and frequently unreported factors. To address this critical challenge, we introduce the Material Preparation Information File (MPIF), a modular, machine- and human-readable format for documenting synthesis protocols alongside key characterization data. Built on the Self-defining Text Archive and Retrieval (STAR) file architecture, MPIF consolidates essential information, including reagents, conditions, equipment, and handling procedures-into a structured format that supports both digital processing and practical laboratory use. To streamline MPIF creation and editing, a web-based interface has been developed (mpif.jackdevans.com). By aligning with existing standards such as CIF and AIF, MPIF enables integration with databases, promotes FAIR data principles, and provides a foundation for data-driven materials discovery, informatics, and automation. We envision MPIF becoming a community-wide standard for transparent and consistent reporting of MOF and related material syntheses.