The Fundamental Electrochemical Characteristics of Rare-Earth Cluster-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks

This work explores the synthesis and characterization of redox active rare-earth (RE) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are of interest due to their unique properties including permanent porosity, high surface area, and stability. Redox active MOFs have shown promise in a variety of applications including catalysis and molecular electronics. The second chapter will explore materials composed of Ce(IV) clusters bridged by ditopic carboxylate-based linkers. The synthesis of a series of UiO-66 analogues using the redox active metal Ce(IV) is completed with the original linker benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid as well as with various functionalized linkers including: 2-aminobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, 2-fluorobenzene- 1,4-dicarboxylic acid, 2-bromobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,4- dicarboxylic acid, and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid. The electrochemical differences between the analogues is explored via cyclic voltammetry. The third chapter delves into the synthesis of a series of redox active MOFs using the tetratopic tetrathiaflvalene-3,4,5,6-tetrakis(4-benzoic acid) (TTFTBA) redox active linker. Synthesis of a 3D cluster based MOF is attempted using Ce(III/IV), Yb(III), and Lu(III). Two new MOFs with shp topology are synthesized using TTFTBA and Yb(III) or Lu(III). The materials are characterized, and their redox properties are explored