Diversifying the Multinuclear Inorganic Building Units and Topology of Yttrium-Tetracarboxylate Frameworks Regulated by Linker Geometry

Engineering of inorganic multinuclear building units or linker configuration through synthetic optimization significantly enriches the topological and structural diversity of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Here, we present the synthesis of four yttrium-based MOFs assembled from diverse inorganic building blocks and the same flexible organic linker, namely, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine (tcpbda4–). Notably, two of the structures (HIAM-312 and HIAM-313) are built on unusual chain motifs, integrating 8-connected Y4 or Y6 clusters. Particularly noteworthy is HIAM-312, constructed from Y4 arrays, which exhibits a pronounced capability for purifying C2H4 from C2H6/C2H4/C2H2 ternary mixtures, as evidenced by multicomponent breakthrough measurements. Our study underscores the pivotal role of strategic regulation of inorganic and organic building blocks via synthetic optimization, offering valuable insights into the development of innovative MOF structures with tailored properties.