A Highly Stable Nanotubular MOF Rotator for Selective Adsorption of Benzene and Separation of Xylene Isomers.

A remarkably stable tubular 3D Zn-MOF with hexagonal channels and a rare ptr topology was prepared under solvothermal conditions for liquid and vapor phase adsorption and separation of the C6-8 aromatic compounds. The material showed preferential affinity for benzene and can effectively separate benzene from its organic analogues under ambient conditions in both vapor and liquid phases. Furthermore, it exhibited preferable uptake of p-xylene over other C8 xylenes.