Applications of metal-organic frameworks as stationary phases in chromatography

• Properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for applications in chromatography.
• The structure-properties relationship of MOFs is discussed briefly.
• The applications of MOFs in chromatography are extensively reviewed.
• Traditional porous materials are compared with MOFs.
• Possible future prospects of MOFs in chromatography are mentioned.

As a new family of mesoporous and microporous materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered versatile materials for widespread technical applications. We summarize some of the eminent properties of MOFs and the development in the application of MOFs in chromatography, especially the advantages they could bring to gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The application of MOFs as novel stationary phases in chromatography in place of conventional materials has led to notable improvements in the performance of GC and HPLC. We highlight differences in chromatographic performance between MOFs and conventional sorbents, such as zeolites, before discussing the future prospects for MOFs in chromatography.