Background
Synthesized metal-organic frameworks have been shown to have a wide range of applications, as highlighted three chemists doing seminal work in this field being 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.
When the repeats of this building block are shown connected to others, the crystalline lattice appears. Viewing the illustrates this.
When considered this way a beautiful diamondoid structure appears that is a 4-connected network.
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.
. (Substantial patience required when loading this scene; it is suggested to only do that after you have examined the others.)
If you don't want to wait for it to rotate around to emphasize the cavities, scroll down...
This gif features the animation in the view of 1x3x3 plane:
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.
