Rationally designed micropores within a metal-organic framework for selective sorption of gas molecules.

A microporous metal-organic framework, MOF, Cu(FMA)(4,4'-Bpe)0.5 (3a, FMA = fumarate; 4,4'-Bpe = 4,4'-Bpe = trans-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene) was rationally designed from a primitive cubic net whose pores are tuned by double framework interpenetration. With pore cavities of about 3.6 A, which are interconnected by pore windows of 2.0 x 3.2 A, 3a shows highly selective sorption behaviors of gas molecules.