A metamorphic inorganic framework that can be switched between eight single-crystalline states

Caihong Zhan, Jamie M. Cameron, David Gabb, Thomas Boyd, Ross S. Winter, Laia Vilà-Nadal, Scott G. Mitchell, Stefan Glatzel, Joachim Breternitz, Duncan H. Gregory, Long De-Liang, Andrew Macdonell and Leroy Cronin ()
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Caihong Zhan: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Jamie M. Cameron: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
David Gabb: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Thomas Boyd: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Ross S. Winter: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Laia Vilà-Nadal: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Scott G. Mitchell: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Stefan Glatzel: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Joachim Breternitz: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Duncan H. Gregory: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Long De-Liang: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Andrew Macdonell: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Leroy Cronin: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract The design of highly flexible framework materials requires organic linkers, whereas inorganic materials are more robust but inflexible. Here, by using linkable inorganic rings made up of tungsten oxide (P8W48O184) building blocks, we synthesized an inorganic single crystal material that can undergo at least eight different crystal-to-crystal transformations, with gigantic crystal volume contraction and expansion changes ranging from −2,170 to +1,720 Å3 with no reduction in crystallinity. Not only does this material undergo the largest single crystal-to-single crystal volume transformation thus far reported (to the best of our knowledge), the system also shows conformational flexibility while maintaining robustness over several cycles in the reversible uptake and release of guest molecules switching the crystal between different metamorphic states. This material combines the robustness of inorganic materials with the flexibility of organic frameworks, thereby challenging the notion that flexible materials with robustness are mutually exclusive.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14185

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