Two-Fold Homointerpenetrated Metal–Organic Framework with the Potential for Anticancer Drug Loading Using Computational Simulations

A new 2-fold homointerpenetrated metal–organic framework with one-dimensional helical channels along [100] direction with the formula {[Zn(NO2-BDC)]·DMF}n (MUT-2) was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. This MOF with NO2-decorated channels was obtained from the self-assembly of 2-nitroterephthalic acid (NO2-H2BDC) as the organic ligand and Zn(NO3)2·6H2O as metallic nodes. The structural properties of the MOF were estimated theoretically by computational simulations. In addition, the potential of MUT-2 for drug loading, i.e. 5-FU as an anticancer drug molecule model, was evaluated computationally. The results were compared with those for MOF-123, which has also been studied for the same purpose, and MUT-2 performed better than MOF-123. The obtained results show a higher surface area (1250 m2/g), larger free volume (60%), and better drug loading (841 mg/g) for MUT-2 in comparison with MOF-123 with 1120 m2/g surface area, 47% free volume, and 453.9 mg/g drug loading.