Multivariate Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Simultaneous Capture of Organic and Inorganic Contaminants from Water

We report a new water-stable multivariate (MTV) metal-organic framework (MOF) prepared by combining two different oxamide-based metalloligands derived from the natural amino acids L-serine and L-methionine. This unique material features hexagonal channels decorated with two types of flexible and functional arms (-CH2OH and -CH2CH2SCH3) capable of enabling, synergistically, the simultaneous and efficient removal of both inorganic (heavy metals such as Hg2+, Pb2+, and Tl+) and organic (dyes such as Pyronin Y, Auramine O, Brilliant green, and Methylene blue) contaminants, and, in addition, this MTV-MOF is completely reusable. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements allowed solving the crystal structure of a host-guest adsorbate, containing both HgCl2 and Methylene blue, and offered unprecedented snapshots of this unique dual capture process. This is the very first time that a MOF can be used for the removal of all sorts of pollutants from water resources, thus opening new perspectives for this emerging type of MTV-MOF.