Chemical instability of Cu3(BTC)2 by reaction with thiols

In contrast to Fe(BTC) (BTC: 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate), the crystal structure of Cu3(BTC)2, a commercial metal organic framework widely used as solid catalyst, collapses when contacted with thiols under mild reaction conditions forming copper nanoparticles.

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► The instability of Cu3(BTC)2 towards thiols.
► Copper nanoparticles are formed from Cu3(BTC)2.
► Characterization of copper nanoparticles by TEM and combined spectroscopic techniques.