Metal–Organic Frameworks for Separation of C 2 Hydrocarbons: From Molecular Design to Industrial Applications

ABSTRACT The separation of C 2 hydrocarbons (C 2 H 2 , C 2 H 4 , and C 2 H 6 ) for high‐demanding pure feedstocks, especially polymer‐grade C 2 H 4 , represents the cornerstone of modern chemical industry. However, traditional distillation technology is energy consumptive, thus propels the search for greener and more efficient alternatives. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline porous materials with structural tailorability. Benefiting from regulable pore channels, modifiable surface chemistry and special stimulus‐triggered flexibility, they display outstanding prospects for adsorptive separation of C 2 hydrocarbons. This review provides a systematic overview of recent research progress in MOF materials applied to C 2 hydrocarbon separation, including one‐step purification of C 2 H 4 , separation of C 2 H 6 /C 2 H 4 , and recovery of C 2 H 4 . It focuses on molecular design strategies for MOFs such as pore size engineering, electrostatic potential modulation, gating effects controlled by framework flexibility, and heterometallic synergy. The role of dynamic breakthrough experiments and theoretical calculations in elucidating separation mechanisms are also examined. Furthermore, we discuss critical challenges toward industrialization, such as material cost, large‐scale synthesis, and long‐term industrial stability. Finally, future perspective on advancing MOF materials for C 2 hydrocarbon separation from laboratory‐scale research to practical industrial applications, are discussed in detail, which offers an essential reference for the development of the next‐generation technologies for gas separation.