Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transformations of Metal–Organic-Framework-Supported, Site-Isolated Trigonal-Planar Cu(I) Complexes with Labile Ligands

Transition-metal complexes bearing labile ligands can be difficult to isolate and study in solution because of unwanted dinucleation or ligand substitution reactions. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) provide a unique matrix that allows site isolation stabilization well-defined transition-metal may importance as moieties for gas adsorption catalysis. Herein we report the development an situ anion metathesis strategy facilitates postsynthetic modification Cu(I) appended porous, crystalline MOF. By exchange coordinated chloride weakly coordinating anions presence carbon monoxide (CO) ethylene, series MOF-appended featuring CO ethylene are prepared structurally characterized using X-ray crystallography. These have uncommon trigonal planar geometry absence solvents. The porous host framework small moderately sized molecules access isolated sites displace “place-holder” ligand, mirroring ligand-exchange processes involved Cu-centered