Organosilicon linkers in metal organic frameworks: the tetrahedral tetrakis(4-tetrazolylphenyl)silane ligand

Formal substitution of the central carbon by silicon within the tetrahedral tetrakis(4-tetrazolylphenyl)methane linker in a copper-based MOF is shown to uniquely influence the structure of the resultant MOF, affecting the orientation of the metal-based nodes and leading to an increase in unit-cell volume and solvent accessible void space.