SOLVOTHERMAL PREPARATION AND POST-SYNTHETIC ACTIVATION OF A Ni-MOF-74-TYPE COORDINATION MATERIAL

A nickel-containing coordination material targeted as Ni-MOF-74 was prepared using a solvothermal procedure based on nickel nitrate hexahydrate and 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid (H4DOBDC). The nickel-to-ligand molar ratio was 1.42:1, and a mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), ethanol and distilled water (15:1:1 by volume) served as the solvent. Crystallization was carried out at 100 °C for 24 h in a sealed, Teflon-lined autoclave. The isolated product was washed with DMF, treated with methanol, vacuum-dried at 80 °C and activated at 150 °C. The synthesis sequence and the rationale for solvent exchange and activation are discussed. FTIR observations reported for the product are consistent with nickel–ligand coordination, but additional diffraction and porosity measurements are required for independent structural confirmation.