Stepwise synthesis of metal-organic frameworks: replacement of structural organic linkers.

We demonstrate how a single-crystal to single-crystal transformation resulting from bridging-linker replacement is possible in extended 2D and 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) by introducing pillared paddlewheel MOF structures into a solution containing dipyridyl linkers. No lateral movement of the layers was observed during this transformation, creating a templating effect from the "parent" structure to the "daughter" structure. A previously unattainable structure was obtained by a two-step synthetic method utilizing the bridging-linker replacement transformation method. Additionally, a bridging-linker insertion was observed when excess linker was used with the 2D MOF structure, inducing an overall 2D to 3D transformation.