Structural engineering of metal-organic frameworks in catalytic applications

In most industries, applying a shape- and molecular size-selective catalysts in many catalytic reactions is very important criteria. The most characteristic feature of metal-organic frameworks MOFs as a catalyst is the absence of dead-zones in their structure. In metal-organic frameworks with well-ordered structure, active sites are well separated and the high surface area of these structures can provide a high density of active sites per unit volume of catalyst. In this review, one of the most important and most applicable features of metal-organic frameworks, i.e. the structural modification capability in MOFs, namely, the structural engineering or surface engineering of MOFs is thoroughly discussed. Surface engineering of MOFs makes possible to achieve the desired physical, chemical and surface properties, especially in the heterogeneous catalysis applications. More recently, pore surface functionalization of MOFs, synthesis of new MOFs inspired by the structure of enzymes, synthesis of mesoporous metal-organic frameworks, synthesis of porous structures based on MOFs, as well as engineering the structural defects of MOFs are some of the most growing and widely discussed research areas, especially in the heterogeneous catalysis application which is discussed in detail in this review.