Loading across the Periodic Table: Introducing 14 Different Metal Ions To Enhance Metal–Organic Framework Performance

Loading metal guests within metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) via secondary functional groups is a promising route for introducing or enhancing MOF performance in various applications. In this work, 14 metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Ag+, Cd2+, La3+, In3+, and Pb2+) have been successfully introduced within the MIL-121 MOF using a cost-efficient route involving free carboxylic groups on the linker. The local and long-range structure of the metal-loaded MOFs is characterized using multinuclear solid-state NMR and X-ray diffraction methods. Li/Mg/Ca-loaded MIL-121 and Ag nanoparticle-loaded MIL-121 exhibit enhanced H2 and CO2 adsorption; Ag nanoparticle-loaded MIL-121 also demonstrates remarkable catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol