# MOF synthesis: ZIF-8 and UiO-66

> Metal–organic frameworks form when metal ions or clusters link through organic ligands into porous crystals. ZIF-8 forms rapidly when methanol solutions of a zinc salt and 2-methylimidazole are mixed at room temperature: Zn²⁺ tetrahedra joined by imidazolates make sodalite cages and rhombic-dodecahedral crystals. UiO-66 is made solvothermally from ZrCl₄ and terephthalic acid in DMF; Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ clusters each bind twelve terephthalates, and after solvent exchange and activation the octahedral crystals are porous and very stable.

- Page: https://www.labcanvas.com/templates/nanomaterial-synthesis/zif-8-uio-66-mof-synthesis
- Open in the LabCanvas editor (LabCanvas account): https://www.labcanvas.com/editor.html?template=mof-zif8-uio66
- Updated: 2026-10-14
- Category: Nanomaterial synthesis
- Method: MOF synthesis, bottom-up
- Starting materials: ZIF-8: zinc nitrate and 2-methylimidazole in methanol. UiO-66: ZrCl₄ and terephthalic acid (H₂BDC) in DMF
- Product: ZIF-8 nanocrystals (rhombic dodecahedra); UiO-66 crystals (octahedra)
- Typical size: ZIF-8: nanocrystals from the rapid room-temperature route; UiO-66: small octahedral crystals
- Key result: Crystalline, permanently porous frameworks
- Scalability: ZIF-8: high (room temperature, fast). UiO-66: medium (solvothermal, DMF)
- Figure: 1920 × 1080 px, 82 editable layers (19 generated objects with settings)

## Steps

1. **ZIF-8: mix**: Methanol solutions of a zinc salt and 2-methylimidazole, combined at room temperature (Cravillon et al.)
2. **ZIF-8: framework**: Zn²⁺ tetrahedrally bound to four imidazolates; sodalite (SOD) cages
3. **ZIF-8: crystals**: Rhombic-dodecahedral nanocrystals; thermally stable to 550 °C (Park et al.)
4. **UiO-66: solvothermal**: ZrCl₄ and H₂BDC in DMF, sealed, 120 °C for 24 h (after Cavka et al.)
5. **UiO-66: framework**: Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ clusters, each linked to 12 terephthalates (fcu net)
6. **UiO-66: activation**: Solvent exchange, then heating under vacuum empties the pores; stable above 500 °C (Cavka et al.)

## Strengths

- Very high surface areas and designed pores
- ZIF-8: fast, mild synthesis; UiO-66: exceptional chemical and thermal stability
- Tunable through linkers and modulators

## Limitations

- DMF and solvothermal conditions for UiO-66
- Activation needed to empty the pores
- Defects and crystal size depend sensitively on conditions

## Uses

- Gas storage and separation
- Catalysis
- Drug delivery
- Sensing and membranes

## References

1. Cravillon et al., “Rapid room-temperature synthesis and characterization of nanocrystals of a prototypical zeolitic imidazolate framework”, Chem. Mater. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm900166h (primary)
2. Park et al., “Exceptional chemical and thermal stability of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks”, PNAS 2006. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0602439103 (method origin)
3. Cavka et al., “A new zirconium inorganic building brick forming metal organic frameworks with exceptional stability”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja8057953 (method origin)

Credit: Redrawn and simplified after Cravillon et al., Chem. Mater. 2009 (doi:10.1021/cm900166h), Park et al., PNAS 2006 (doi:10.1073/pnas.0602439103) and Cavka et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008 (doi:10.1021/ja8057953).

## Questions

**What does the “MOF synthesis: ZIF-8 and UiO-66” template show?** Metal–organic frameworks form when metal ions or clusters link through organic ligands into porous crystals. ZIF-8 forms rapidly when methanol solutions of a zinc salt and 2-methylimidazole are mixed at room temperature: Zn²⁺ tetrahedra joined by imidazolates make sodalite cages and rhombic-dodecahedral crystals. UiO-66 is made solvothermally from ZrCl₄ and terephthalic acid in DMF; Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ clusters each bind twelve terephthalates, and after solvent exchange and activation the octahedral crystals are porous and very stable.

**What are the steps shown in “MOF synthesis: ZIF-8 and UiO-66”?** 1. ZIF-8: mix: Methanol solutions of a zinc salt and 2-methylimidazole, combined at room temperature (Cravillon et al.). 2. ZIF-8: framework: Zn²⁺ tetrahedrally bound to four imidazolates; sodalite (SOD) cages. 3. ZIF-8: crystals: Rhombic-dodecahedral nanocrystals; thermally stable to 550 °C (Park et al.). 4. UiO-66: solvothermal: ZrCl₄ and H₂BDC in DMF, sealed, 120 °C for 24 h (after Cavka et al.). 5. UiO-66: framework: Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ clusters, each linked to 12 terephthalates (fcu net). 6. UiO-66: activation: Solvent exchange, then heating under vacuum empties the pores; stable above 500 °C (Cavka et al.).

**What are the starting materials and the product?** Starting materials: ZIF-8: zinc nitrate and 2-methylimidazole in methanol. UiO-66: ZrCl₄ and terephthalic acid (H₂BDC) in DMF. Product: ZIF-8 nanocrystals (rhombic dodecahedra); UiO-66 crystals (octahedra).

**Which papers is “MOF synthesis: ZIF-8 and UiO-66” based on?** Cravillon et al., “Rapid room-temperature synthesis and characterization of nanocrystals of a prototypical zeolitic imidazolate framework”, Chem. Mater. 2009 (doi:10.1021/cm900166h); Park et al., “Exceptional chemical and thermal stability of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks”, PNAS 2006 (doi:10.1073/pnas.0602439103); Cavka et al., “A new zirconium inorganic building brick forming metal organic frameworks with exceptional stability”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008 (doi:10.1021/ja8057953).

**Can I edit the “MOF synthesis: ZIF-8 and UiO-66” template?** Yes. Open it in the LabCanvas editor: all 82 layers are editable, including 19 generated objects (structures, plots, equipment) with their own settings. Change the text, colours and layout, then export PNG, TIFF, SVG or PDF.

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