A linker selective retention strategy to construct hierarchical porous metal-organic frameworks with high catalytic activity for oxidative desulfurization.

In order to improve the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) performance of MOF materials, an effective way is to convert a microporous MOF into a hierarchical porous MOF (HP-MOF) by utilizing the linker selective retention strategy. Herein, UiO-66 with the introduction of an unstable linker ligand (dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate, dhtz) can selectively remove dhtz ligands to form HP-MOF (HP-UiO-66-dhtz) through heat treatment at high temperature. While maintaining the original structure of UiO-66, HP-UiO-66-dhtz features mesopores and abundant Lewis acid sites, showing excellent ODS performance for diphenylthiophene (DBT).