Metal-organic framework from an anthracene derivative containing nanoscopic cages exhibiting high methane uptake.

A microporous metal-organic framework, PCN-14, based on an anthracene derivative, 5,5'-(9,10-anthracenediyl)di-isophthalate (H4adip), was synthesized under solvothermal reaction conditions. X-ray single crystal analysis revealed that PCN-14 consists of nanoscopic cages suitable for gas storage. N2-adsorption studies of PCN-14 at 77 K reveal a Langmuir surface area of 2176 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.87 cm3/g. Methane adsorption studies at 290 K and 35 bar show that PCN-14 exhibits an absolute methane-adsorption capacity of 230 v/v, 28% higher than the DOE target (180 v/v) for methane storage.