P. Van der Voort

Missing linkers: an alternative pathway to UiO-66 electronic structure engineering

A. De Vos, K. Hendrickx, P. Van der Voort, V. Van Speybroeck, K. Lejaeghere
Chemistry of Materials
29 (7), 3006–3019
2017
A1

Abstract 

UiO-66 is a promising metal-organic framework for photocatalytic applications. However, the ligand-to-metal charge transfer of an excited electron is inefficient in the pristine material. Herein we assess the influence of missing linker defects on the electronic structure of UiO-66 and discuss their ability to improve ligand-to-metal charge transfer. Using a new defect classification system, which is transparent and easily extendable, we identify the most promising photocatalysts by considering both relative stability and electronic structure. We find the properties of UiO-66 defect structures largely to depend on the coordination of the constituent nodes, and the nodes with the strongest local distortions to alter the electronic structure most. Defects hence provide an alternative pathway to tune UiO-66 for photocatalytic purposes, besides linker modification and node metal substitution. In addition, the decomposition of MOF properties into node- and linker-based behavior is more generally valid, so we propose orthogonal electronic structure tuning as a paradigm in MOF electronic structure engineering.

Open Access version available at UGent repository
Gold Open Access

DOI 

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b05444

Biocompatible Zr-based nanoscale MOFs coated with modified poly (epsilon-caprolactone) as anticancer drug carriers

M. Filippousi, S. Turner, K. Leus, P.I. Siafaka, E.D. Tseligka, M. Vandichel, S.G. Nanaki, I.S. Vizirianakis, D.N. Bikiaris, P. Van der Voort, G. Van Tendeloo
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
509, 1-2, 208-218
2016
A1

Abstract 

Nanoscale Zr-based metal organic frameworks (MOFs) UiO-66 and UiO-67 were studied as potential anticancer drug delivery vehicles. Two model drugs were used, hydrophobic paclitaxel and hydrophilic cisplatin, and were adsorbed onto/into the nano MOFs (NMOFs). The drug loaded MOFs were further encapsulated inside a modified poly(epsilon-caprolactone) with D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate polymeric matrix, in the form of microparticles, in order to prepare sustained release formulations and to reduce the drug toxicity. The drugs physical state and release rate was studied at 37 degrees C using Simulated Body Fluid. It was found that the drug release depends on the interaction between the MOFs and the drugs while the controlled release rates can be attributed to the microencapsulated formulations. The in vitro antitumor activity was assessed using HSC-3 (human oral squamous carcinoma; head and neck) and U-87 MG (human glioblastoma grade IV; astrocytoma) cancer cells. Cytotoxicity studies for both cell lines showed that the polymer coated, drug loaded MOFs exhibited better anticancer activity compared to free paclitaxel and cisplatin solutions at different concentrations. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOI 

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.05.048

Heterogeneous Ru(III) oxidation catalysts via ‘click’ bidentate ligands on a Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica support

S. Clerick, E. De Canck, K. Hendrickx, V. Van Speybroeck, P. Van der Voort
Green Chemistry
18, 6035–6045
2016
A1

Abstract 

A 100% monoallyl ring-type Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica (PMO) is prepared as a novel, versatile and exceptionally stable catalytic support with a high internal surface area and 5.0 nm pores. Thiol-ene ‘click’ chemistry allows straightforward attachment of bifunctional thiols (-NH2, -OH, -SH) which, exploiting the thioether functionality formed, give rise to ‘solid’ bidentate ligands. [Ru(acac)2(CH3CN)2]PF6 is attached and complex formation on the solid is studied via theoretical calculations. All resulting solid catalysts show high activity and selectivity in alcohol oxidation reactions performed in green conditions (25°C/ water). The PMO catalysts do not leach Ru during reaction and are thus easily recuperated and re-used for several runs. Furthermore, oxidation of poorly water-soluble (±)-menthol illustrates the benefits of using hydrophobic PMOs as catalytic supports.

DOI 

http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C6GC01494A

Facile synthesis of cooperative acid-base catalysts by clicking cysteine and cysteamine on an ethylene-bridged periodic mesoporous organosilica

J. Ouwehand, J. Lauwaert, D. Esquivel, K. Hendrickx, V. Van Speybroeck, J.W. Thybaut, P. Van der Voort
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
2016, 13-14, 2144-2151
2016
A1

Abstract 

A Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica (PMO) containing ethylene bridges was functionalized in order to obtain a series of cooperative acid-base catalysts. A straightforward, single-step procedure was devised to immobilize cysteine and cysteamine on the support material via a photoinitiated thiol-ene click reaction. Likewise, PMO materials capped with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) were used to support both compounds. This resulted in different materials, where the amine site was promoted by carboxylic acid groups, surface silanol groups or both. The catalysts were tested in the aldol reaction of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and acetone. It was found that silanol groups have a stronger promoting effect on the amine than the carboxylic acid group. The highest turnover frequency (TOF) was obtained for an amine functionalized material which only contained silanol promoting sites. The loading of the active sites also has a significant effect on the activity of the catalysts, which was rationalized based on a computational study.

DOI 

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejic.201501179

Systematic study of the chemical and hydrothermal stability of selected "stable" Metal Organic Frameworks

K. Leus, T. Bogaerts, J. De Decker, H. Depauw, K. Hendrickx, H. Vrielinck, V. Van Speybroeck, P. Van der Voort
Microporous and Mesoporous Materials
226, 110-116
2016
A1

Abstract 

In this work, the hydrothermal and chemical stability towards acids, bases, air, water and peroxides of Metal Organic Frameworks, that are commonly considered to be stable, is presented. As a proof of stability both the crystallinity and porosity are measured before and after exposure to the stress test. The major part of the MOFs examined in this study showed a good hydrothermal stability except for the UiO-67, NH2-MIL-101 (Al) and CuBTC material. The chemical stability towards acids and bases show a similar tendency and an ordering can be proposed as: MIL-101(Cr)>NH2-UiO-66>UiO-66>UiO-67>NH2-MIL-53>MIL-53(Al)>ZIF-8>CuBTC>NH2-MIL-101(Al). In the tests with the H2O2 solution most materials behaved poorly, only the UiO-66 and NH2-UiO-66 framework showed a good stability.

DOI 

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2015.11.055

Vibrational fingerprint of the absorption properties of UiO-type MOF materials

A. Van Yperen-De Deyne, K. Hendrickx, L. Vanduyfhuys, G. Sastre, P. Van der Voort, V. Van Speybroeck, K. Hemelsoet
Theoretical Chemistry Accounts
135, 4, 102
2016
A1

Abstract 

The absorption properties of UiO-type metal–organic frameworks are computed using TD-DFT simulations on the organic linkers. A set of nine isoreticular structures, including the UiO-66 and UiO-67 materials and functionalized variants, are examined. The excitation energies from a static geometry optimization are compared with dynamic averages obtained from sampling the ground-state potential energy surface using molecular dynamics. The vibrational modes that impact the excitation energy are identified. This analysis is done using a recently proposed tool based on power spectra of the velocities and the excitation energies. The applied procedure allows including important factors influencing the absorption spectra, such as the periodic framework, linker variation and dynamical effects including harmonic and anharmonic nuclear motions. This methodology allows investigating in detail the vibrational fingerprint of the excitation energy of advanced materials such as MOFs and gives perspectives to tailor materials toward new light-based applications.

Open Access version available at UGent repository

DOI 

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00214-016-1842-8

Understanding Intrinsic Light Absorption Properties of UiO- 66 Frameworks: A Combined Theoretical and Experimental Study

K. Hendrickx, D.E.P. Vanpoucke, K. Leus, K. Lejaeghere, A. Van Yperen-De Deyne, V. Van Speybroeck, P. Van der Voort, K. Hemelsoet
Inorganic Chemistry
54, 22, 10701-10710
2015
A1

Abstract 

A combined theoretical and experimental study is performed in order to elucidate the effects of linker functional groups on the photoabsorption properties of UiO-66-type materials. This study, in which both mono- and di-functionalized linkers (with X= -OH, -NH2, -SH) are studied, aims to obtain a more complete picture on the choice of functionalization. Static Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) calculations combined with Molecular Dynamics simulations are performed on the linkers and compared to experimental UV/VIS spectra, in order to understand the electronic effects governing the absorption spectra. Di-substituted linkers show larger shifts compared to mono-substituted variants, making them promising candidates for further study as photocatalysts. Next, the interaction between the linker and the inorganic part of the framework is theoretically investigated using a cluster model. The proposed Ligand-to-Metal-Charge Transfer (LMCT) is theoretically observed and is influenced by the differences in functionalization. Finally, computed electronic properties of the periodic UiO-66 materials reveal that the band gap can be altered by linker functionalization and ranges from 4.0 down to 2.2 eV. Study of the periodic Density of States (DOS) allows to explain the band gap modulations of the framework in terms of a functionalization-induced band in the band gap of the original UiO-66 host.

DOI 

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b01593

Fine-tuning the theoretically predicted structure of MIL-47(V) with the aid of powder X-ray diffraction

T. Bogaerts, L. Vanduyfhuys, D.E.P. Vanpoucke, J. Wieme, M. Waroquier, P. Van der Voort, V. Van Speybroeck
CrystEngComm
17, 8612–8622
2015
A1

Abstract 

The structural characterization of complex crystalline materials such as metal organic frameworks can prove a very difficult challenge both for experimentalists as for theoreticians. From theory, the flat potential energy surface of these highly flexible structures often leads to different geometries that are energetically very close to each other. In this work a distinction between various computationally determined structures is made by comparing experimental and theoretically derived X-ray diffractograms which are produced from the materials geometry. The presented approach allows to choose the most appropriate geometry of a MIL-47(V) MOF and even distinguish between different electronic configurations that induce small structural changes. Moreover the techniques presented here are used to verify the applicability of a newly developed force field for this material. The discussed methodology is of significant importance for modelling studies where accurate geometries are crucial, such as mechanical properties and adsorption of guest molecules.

DOI 

http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5CE01388G

The enantioselectivity of the manganese-salen complex in the epoxidation of unfunctionalized olefins and the influence of grafting

T. Bogaerts, S. Wouters, P. Van der Voort, V. Van Speybroeck
Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical
Vol. 406, 106-113
2015
A1

Abstract 

Jacobsen’s complexes are famous for their usability for enantioselective epoxidations. However, the applicability of this catalytic system has been severely limited by several practical problems such as deactivation and separation after reaction. Grafting of Jacobsen-type complexes on solid supports is an attractive way to overcome these problems but led to a decrease in selectivity. A combined theoretical and experimental approach is presented to unravel the factors governing enantioselectivity. The importance of different substituents was determined by analyzing the transition state for the oxygen transfer using the full system as a model. An analysis of the asymmetric complex has shown an inherent tendency for a decreased selectivity due to the lack of specific bulky groups. Experimentally an immobilized Jacobsen catalyst on a metal organic framework (MIL-101) was synthesized which confirms the computational tendencies but the decrease in selectivity is limited, indicating that the MIL-101(Cr) is a suitable carrier for this complex.

Open Access version available at UGent repository

DOI 

10.1016/j.molcata.2015.05.020

Mechanistic investigation on the oxygen transfer with the manganese-salen complex

T. Bogaerts, S. Wouters, P. Van der Voort, V. Van Speybroeck
ChemCatChem
7 (17), 2711–2719
2015
A1

Abstract 

The most well-known application of salen complexes is the use of a chiral ligand loaded with manganese to form the Jacobsen complex. This organometallic catalyst is used in the epoxidation of unfunctionalized olefins and can achieve very high selectivities. Although this application was proposed many years ago, the mechanism of oxygen transfer remains a question until now. In this paper, the epoxidation mechanism is investigated by an ab initio kinetic modeling study. First of all a proper DFT functional is selected which yields the correct ordering of the various spin states. Our results show that the epoxidation proceeds via a radical intermediate. Starting from the radical intermediate, these results can explain the experiments with radical probes. The subtle influences in the transition state using the full Jacobsen catalyst explain the experimentally observed product distribution.

DOI 

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201500584

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