Fine tuning of the metal–organic framework Cu3(BTC)2 HKUST-1 crystal size in the 100 nm to 5 micron range

Cu3(BTC)2 (BTC = 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylate) was synthesized from cooled reagents in ethanol–water solvent mixtures and in ethanol solvent at room temperature involving quenching at −196 °C and freeze drying in order to limit crystal growth. These approaches are handy to synthesize this MOF with narrow particle size distribution in the range of 100 nm to 5 microns and to achieve excellent crystallinity and unprecedented porosity. The nano-version of Cu3(BTC)2 outperforms micron size crystals in catalyzing methanolysis of styrene oxide.