A Strategic High Yield Synthesis of 2,5-Dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone Based MOFs.

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) of the type NBu4M(DHBQ)1.5 (M = Ni2+, Fe2+, and Co2+; DHBQ = 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone) were prepared with improved yield up to 100% via a simple benchtop aqueous addition reaction. For the first time, the crystalline phase of this formula polymer was synthesized without in situ generation of the DHBQ ligand from 2, 5-diamino-1,4-benzoquinone (DABQ). Powder X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis confirm the crystalline phase and composition of products. Infrared and electron dispersive spectroscopy further confirm that the materials are homologous to the reported single crystalline polymers. The present MOF synthesis can be extended to halide-substituted ligands, i.e., 3,6-dichloro-2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (chloranilic acid, CAN) and 3,6-difluoro-2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (fluoranilic acid, FAN).