Thermal decomposition of hybrid ultramicroporous materials (HUMs)

Dalton Trans. 2020 Dec 21;49(47):17433-17439. doi: 10.1039/d0dt03852k. Epub 2020 Nov 23.

Abstract

Hybrid Ultramicroporous Materials (HUMs) are porous coordination materials with exemplary gas sorption and separation characteristics, but relatively poor thermal stability when compared to other porous coordination polymers or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The origin of this poor thermal stability has not yet been experimentally verified. Therefore, we investigate the thermal decomposition mechanisms of representative HUMs with the general formulae [M(SiF6)(L)2] or [M(SiF6)(L)(H2O)2], where M = Ni(ii), Cu(ii) or Zn(ii) and L = pyrazine or 4,4'-bipyridine. We find that two decomposition mechanisms dominate: (i) the fragmentation of the XF62- pillar into gaseous XF4 and fluoride, and (ii) direct sublimation of the N-donor ligand. The former process dictates the overall thermal stability of the material. We also demonstrate that HF is a possible decomposition product from certain hydrated HUM materials.