The Chemistry of 2D Metal-Organic Framework Monolayers (MOFene)

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) offer ultrahigh porosity for adsorption and catalysis. Hence, a fundamental understanding of their surface chemistry is of paramount importance. The isolation of single MOF layers (MOFenes) would establish ideal model materials for in depth investigations of surface phenomena and chemical reactivity on edges and surfaces of MOF fragments. For the isolation of such 2D fragments, top-down and bottom up approaches will be applied making use of the modular design principles and the topological design rules developed for MOFs. Crystallites of predefined size will be utilized to develop controlled chemical delamination methods of single or few layer MOFenes for the synthesis of dispersions. The bottom up approach will make use of the modular building block assembly for MOF synthesis by preassembling multinuclear oxocomplexes and linkers into chains or rings which are further connected into 2D layers. An understanding of building block reactivity will be important for selective 2D growth.