Cubic Diamond Lattice Metal-Organic Framework

Background

Synthesized metal-organic frameworks have been shown to have a wide range of applications. Three chemists who did seminal work in this field were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2025.

Here the crystal structure of a cubic diamond metal-organic framework is featured; the CSD entry JARMEU^[1].

This is the structure that revealed that a crystalline, diamondoid, extended framework was formed that had large cavities, establishing this class of solid polymeric materials.

A cubic diamond lattice metal-organic framework

Shown at the right is the building block of the network ().

C, N, Cu

The metal here is copper.

A beautiful diamondoid structure appears that is a 4-connected network.

When the repeats of this 4-connected network building block are shown connected to others, the crystalline lattice appears.

Viewing the illustrates this.
The large cavities are visible as the lattice layers onto itself as the view of the structure rotates.
The cavities would contain anions and solvent that are not shown in this crystal structure as they'd be freely moving and randomly distributed.

The extensive crystalline nature with the large cavities becomes more apparent if we consider more of the repeated building blocks.

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Significance

Since the proposal of this class of materials, metal-organic framework have been proven to support many roles. Applications to gas storage, analytical chemistry and (bio)sensors, batteries and fuel cell technology, separation science, synthesis and catalysis, harvesting of water from dry (low humidity) air, water purification and environmental remediation, capture/destruction of harmful agents, energy conversion and storage, hydrogen generation, food safety, and drug delivery & diagnostics/therapy have been demonstrated^[2].

Highlighting the significance is the fact three chemists doing seminal work in this field were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2025. The structure featured here played a key role in establishing this field.