A Microporous Metal-Organic Framework for Highly Selective Separation of Acetylene, Ethylene, and Ethane from Methane at Room Temperature

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal 2012-01, Vol.18 (2), p.613-619
• Main Authors: He, Yabing, Zhang, Zhangjing, Xiang, Shengchang, Fronczek, Frank R., Krishna, Rajamani, Chen, Banglin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: breakthrough simulation; Chemistry; gas separation; hydrocarbons; metal- organic frameworks; microporous materials
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201102734

A novel three‐dimensional microporous metal–organic framework Zn4L(DMA)4 (UTSA‐33, H8L=1,2,4,5‐tetra(5‐isophthalic acid)benzene, DMA=N,N′‐dimethylacetamide) with small pores of about 4.8 to 6.5 Å was synthesized and structurally characterized as a non‐interpenetrated (4,8)‐connected network with the flu topology (Schläfli symbol: (41261284)(46)2). The activated UTSA‐33 a exhibits highly selective separation of acetylene, ethylene, and ethane from methane with the adsorption selectivities of 12 to 20 at 296 K, which has been established exclusively by the sorption isotherms and simulated breakthrough experiments, thus methane can be readily separated from their binary and even ternary mixtures at room temperature. A new 3D microporous metal–organic framework (UTSA‐33) with pores of about 4.8 to 6.5 Å has been established to exhibit highly selective separation of acetylene, ethylene, and ethane from methane at room temperature by both adsorption isotherms and simulated breakthrough experiments (see figure).