Terminology of metal–organic frameworks and coordination polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2013)

• Published in: Pure and applied chemistry Vol. 85; no. 8; pp. 1715 - 1724
• Main Authors: Batten, Stuart R., Champness, Neil R., Chen, Xiao-Ming, Garcia-Martinez, Javier, Kitagawa, Susumu, Öhrström, Lars, O’Keeffe, Michael, Paik Suh, Myunghyun, Reedijk, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin De Gruyter 01.01.2013; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: coordination chemistry; coordination networks; Coordination polymers; inorganic chemistry; IUPAC Inorganic Chemistry Division; materials chemistry; metal complexes; Metal-organic frameworks; metal–organic frameworks (MOFs); nanostructured materials; Networks; Polymers; Porosity; Terminology; Topology
• ISSN: 0033-4545; 1365-3075; 1365-3075
• DOI: 10.1351/PAC-REC-12-11-20

A set of terms, definitions, and recommendations is provided for use in the classification of coordination polymers, networks, and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). A hierarchical terminology is recommended in which the most general term is coordination polymer. Coordination networks are a subset of coordination polymers and MOFs a further subset of coordination networks. One of the criteria an MOF needs to fulfill is that it contains potential voids, but no physical measurements of porosity or other properties are demanded per se. The use of topology and topology descriptors to enhance the description of crystal structures of MOFs and 3D-coordination polymers is furthermore strongly recommended.