A microporous metal–organic framework assembled from an aromatic tetracarboxylate for H2 purification

A NbO-type metal–organic framework UTSA-40 constructed from a novel aromatic tetracarboxylate has been synthesized and structurally characterized. With open metal sites, suitable pore spaces and a moderate BET surface area of 1630 m2 g−1 for the recognition of CO2 and CH4, the activated UTSA-40a has the potential for use in H2 purification processes conducted in fixed bed adsorbers, with higher productivities and lower regeneration costs than those obtained with conventionally used NaX and LTA-5A zeolites when operating at higher pressure. Furthermore, its regeneration cost is also lower than that of the examined MOFs MgMOF-74 and Cu-TDPAT despite its lower productivity.