As metal-organic frameworks continue to gain prominence and more targeted syntheses become the norm, mechanistic elaboration of the synthesis of these materials, specifically the formation of the secondary building unit (SBU) is paramount. Through a combination of solvothermal synthesis, solid-state to solid-state transformations, and in situ Raman spectroscopy, proposed mechanisms of formation (along with their synthetic consequences) of select indium-derived SBUs will be presented. Additionally, the non-covalent interactions involved in solution-phase sorptive extraction of pharmaceuticals and heavy metals (Pb and Cs) by select MOFs will be examined.










Doug Genna (Youngstown State University)