Enhanced gas sorption properties and unique behavior toward liquid water in a pillared-paddlewheel metal-organic framework transmetalated with Ni(II).

The synthesis of a permanently porous pillared-paddlewheel metal-organic framework (MOF) was achieved through transmetalation of Zn(II) with Ni(II). The MOF can be treated with liquid water, leading to the reversible displacement of 50% of its pillars by water molecules and resulting in a most unusual crystalline and permanently porous structure.