# MOF-5: synthesis and structure

> MOF-5 (IRMOF-1) is the prototypical metal–organic framework. Zinc nitrate and terephthalic acid heated in N,N-diethylformamide give colourless cubic crystals of Zn₄O(BDC)₃: octahedral Zn₄O(CO₂)₆ clusters joined by benzene links into a cubic net with cavities about 12 and 15 Å across. Emptied carefully and kept dry, it is one of the most porous solids known.

- Page: https://www.labcanvas.com/templates/metal-organic-frameworks/mof-5-synthesis-structure
- Open in the LabCanvas editor (LabCanvas account): https://www.labcanvas.com/editor.html?template=mof5-synthesis-structure
- Updated: 2026-10-14
- Category: Metal–organic frameworks
- Method: Solvothermal synthesis, bottom-up
- Starting materials: Zinc nitrate tetrahydrate and terephthalic acid (H₂BDC) in N,N-diethylformamide (DEF)
- Product: Colourless cubic crystals of Zn₄O(BDC)₃ (cubic, Fm-3m, a ≈ 25.8 Å)
- Key result: Langmuir surface area 2,900 m² g⁻¹ (Li et al. 1999); BET 3,800 m² g⁻¹ when prepared and handled without air (Kaye et al. 2007)
- Figure: 1920 × 1080 px, 86 editable layers (12 generated objects with settings)

## Steps

1. **Solvothermal**: Zn(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and H₂BDC in DEF, heated in a closed vessel at 85–105 °C (Eddaoudi et al. 2002)
2. **Crystals**: Cubic crystals grow as the acid is deprotonated and Zn₄O clusters form
3. **Activation**: Solvent exchanged, then removed under vacuum; handled dry, since water degrades the framework (Kaye et al. 2007)
4. **Structure**: Zn₄O(CO₂)₆ octahedra on a cubic (pcu) net, 12.9 Å apart; alternating cavities about 12 and 15 Å across (Rowsell et al. 2005)

## Strengths

- Very high porosity from a simple, cheap linker
- The parent of the isoreticular IRMOF series
- Large single crystals

## Limitations

- Sensitive to moisture: water attacks the Zn–carboxylate bonds
- Surface area depends strongly on handling

## Uses

- Hydrogen and methane storage
- A model for reticular design
- Teaching MOF structure

## References

1. Li et al., “Design and synthesis of an exceptionally stable and highly porous metal-organic framework”, Nature 1999. https://doi.org/10.1038/46248 (primary)
2. Eddaoudi et al., “Systematic Design of Pore Size and Functionality in Isoreticular MOFs and Their Application in Methane Storage”, Science 2002. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1067208 (method origin)
3. Rowsell et al., “Gas Adsorption Sites in a Large-Pore Metal-Organic Framework”, Science 2005. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1113247 (further reading)
4. Kaye et al., “Impact of Preparation and Handling on the Hydrogen Storage Properties of Zn₄O(1,4-benzenedicarboxylate)₃ (MOF-5)”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja076877g (further reading)

Credit: After Li et al., Nature 1999 (doi:10.1038/46248), Eddaoudi et al., Science 2002 (doi:10.1126/science.1067208), Rowsell et al., Science 2005 (doi:10.1126/science.1113247) and Kaye et al., JACS 2007 (doi:10.1021/ja076877g). Pattern computed from the model.

## Questions

**What does the “MOF-5: synthesis and structure” template show?** MOF-5 (IRMOF-1) is the prototypical metal–organic framework. Zinc nitrate and terephthalic acid heated in N,N-diethylformamide give colourless cubic crystals of Zn₄O(BDC)₃: octahedral Zn₄O(CO₂)₆ clusters joined by benzene links into a cubic net with cavities about 12 and 15 Å across. Emptied carefully and kept dry, it is one of the most porous solids known.

**What are the steps shown in “MOF-5: synthesis and structure”?** 1. Solvothermal: Zn(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and H₂BDC in DEF, heated in a closed vessel at 85–105 °C (Eddaoudi et al. 2002). 2. Crystals: Cubic crystals grow as the acid is deprotonated and Zn₄O clusters form. 3. Activation: Solvent exchanged, then removed under vacuum; handled dry, since water degrades the framework (Kaye et al. 2007). 4. Structure: Zn₄O(CO₂)₆ octahedra on a cubic (pcu) net, 12.9 Å apart; alternating cavities about 12 and 15 Å across (Rowsell et al. 2005).

**What are the starting materials and the product?** Starting materials: Zinc nitrate tetrahydrate and terephthalic acid (H₂BDC) in N,N-diethylformamide (DEF). Product: Colourless cubic crystals of Zn₄O(BDC)₃ (cubic, Fm-3m, a ≈ 25.8 Å).

**Which papers is “MOF-5: synthesis and structure” based on?** Li et al., “Design and synthesis of an exceptionally stable and highly porous metal-organic framework”, Nature 1999 (doi:10.1038/46248); Eddaoudi et al., “Systematic Design of Pore Size and Functionality in Isoreticular MOFs and Their Application in Methane Storage”, Science 2002 (doi:10.1126/science.1067208); Rowsell et al., “Gas Adsorption Sites in a Large-Pore Metal-Organic Framework”, Science 2005 (doi:10.1126/science.1113247); Kaye et al., “Impact of Preparation and Handling on the Hydrogen Storage Properties of Zn₄O(1,4-benzenedicarboxylate)₃ (MOF-5)”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007 (doi:10.1021/ja076877g).

**Can I edit the “MOF-5: synthesis and structure” template?** Yes. Open it in the LabCanvas editor: all 86 layers are editable, including 12 generated objects (structures, plots, equipment) with their own settings. Change the text, colours and layout, then export PNG, TIFF, SVG or PDF.

**Do I need an account to use this template?** Not to view it here. To open and edit it, sign in to LabCanvas or create a free account (the free plan keeps one design of each kind). Downloading the figure is part of LabCanvas Pro (US$19 a month or US$199 a year).