Water–alkane interface promotes the formation of metal–organic frameworks

•The water–alkane interface can promote the formation of metal–organic framework (MOF).•The proposed method is rapid, simple, surfactant-free, and can proceed at room temperature.•The properties of the MOFs can be modulated by molecular structure of alkane.

To develop facile, rapid and low-energy route for metal–organic framework (MOF) formation is of great importance. Here a water–alkane interface strategy was proposed for the MOF formation at room temperature. The content and molecular structure of alkane phase were found to have remarkable effect on regulating the porosity properties of MOFs. For example, the MOF synthesized in 1:1 (v/v) water/n-hexane mixture has the largest BET surface area (1474.1 m2/g) and total pore volume (0.7030 cm3/g). The mechanism was discussed from the competitive adsorption of water and alkane in the micropores of MOF building blocks during formation process.

Graphical abstractThe water–alkane interface can promote the metal–organic framework formation at room temperature.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide