Coordination polymers, metal–organic frameworks and the need for terminology guidelines

Coordination polymers (CPs) and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are among the most prolific research areas of inorganic chemistry and crystal engineering in the last 15 years, and yet it still seems that consensus is lacking about what they really are, or are not.

Terminology of metal–organic frameworks and coordination polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2013)

A set of terms, definitions, and recommendations is provided for use in the classification of coordination polymers, networks, and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). A hierarchical terminology is recommended in which the most general term is coordination polymer. Coordination networks are a subset of coordination polymers and MOFs a further subset of coordination networks. One of the criteria an MOF needs to fulfill is that it contains potential voids, but no physical measurements of porosity or other properties are demanded per se. The use of topology and topology descriptors to enhance the description of crystal structures of MOFs and 3D-coordination polymers is furthermore strongly recommended.

Paving the way for methane hydrate formation on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)

The presence of a highly tunable porous structure and surface chemistry makes metal–organic framework (MOF) materials excellent candidates for artificial methane hydrate formation under mild temperature and pressure conditions (2 °C and 3–5 MPa). Experimental results using MOFs with a different pore structure and chemical nature (MIL-100 (Fe) and ZIF-8) clearly show that the water–framework interactions play a crucial role in defining the extent and nature of the gas hydrates formed. Whereas the hydrophobic MOF promotes methane hydrate formation with a high yield, the hydrophilic one does not. The formation of these methane hydrates on MOFs has been identified for the first time using inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (SXRPD). The results described in this work pave the way towards the design of new MOF structures able to promote artificial methane hydrate formation upon request (confined or non-confined) and under milder conditions than in nature.

Improved mechanical stability of HKUST-1 in confined nanospace

One of the main concerns in the technological application of several metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) relates to their structural instability under pressure (after a conforming step). Here we report for the first time that mechanical instability can be highly improved via nucleation and growth of MOF nanocrystals in the confined nanospace of activated carbons.

Curtin-Hammett versus non-Curtin-Hammett frameworks is optimizing the enantioselective binolam/titanium(IV)-catalyzed cyanobenzoylation of aldehydes: Part 2

Extensive experimental and computational studies have been carried out on the enantioselective titanium(IV)-catalyzed cyanobenzoylation of aldehydes using 1:n Binolam:Ti(OiPr)4 mixtures as precatalysts, with the purpose of identifying the key mechanistic aspects governing enantioselectivity. HCN and isopropyl benzoate were detected in the reacting mixtures. This, as well as the reaction’s response to the presence of an exogenous base, and the failure to react in the presence of Binol:Ti(OiPr)4 mixtures, led us to propose not a direct cyanobenzoylation but an indirect process involving enantioselective hydrocyanation followed by O-benzoylation. Computational work provided positive evidence for the intervention of both indirect and direct cyanobenzoylation routes, the former being faster. However, the standard Curtin–Hammett-based optimization search ended with unsatisfactory results. Experimental and computational DFT studies (B3LYP/6-31G*) led us to conclude that: (1) the overall cyanobenzoylation of aldehydes catalyzed by 1:n Binolam:Ti(OiPr)4 mixtures involves an enantioselective hydrocyanation followed by an stereochemically inert O-benzoylation; (2) the initial complexes prevailing in a 1:1 Binolam:Ti(OiPr)4 mixture are the solvated mononuclear monomer 5·2(iPrOH) and solvated dinuclear dimer 9·2(iPrOH), whereas 9·2(iPrOH) is the major component in a 1:2 or higher 1:n mixture; (3) since the slowest step is that of benzoylation of ligated iPrOH which yields the actual catalysts 5–9, the catalytic system fits into a non-Curtin–Hammett framework, the final products deriving from a kinetic quench of the competing routes; and (4) accordingly, catalysis by 1:1 Binolam:Ti(OiPr)4 mixtures should involve cyanobenzoylations promoted by mononuclear 5, contaminated with those promoted by some dinuclear open dimer 9, whereas cyanobenzoylations catalyzed by a 1:2 and higher 1:n mixtures should be the result of catalysis promoted by the large amounts of dinuclear open dimer 9.

Tema 6, parte 3: Frameworks web para dispositivos móviles

Se describen las ventajas de usar un framework para desarrollar aplicaciones web para móviles, y en concreto se ve el funcionamiento de jQuery Mobile.

Tema 4: Frameworks JavaScript. jQuery

En este tema se ven las ventajas de usar un framework para escribir código en JavaScript. Se describe jQuery, uno de los frameworks más difundidos en la actualidad.

Intelligent Decision-Making System Frameworks for a Digital Plan of Work: A Theoretical Investigation for the Construction Industry

The construction industry is characterised by fragmentation and suffers from lack of collaboration, often adopting adversarial working practices to achieve deliverables. For the UK Government and construction industry, BIM is a game changer aiming to rectify this fragmentation and promote collaboration. However it has become clear that there is an essential need to have better controls and definitions of both data deliverables and data classification. Traditional methods and techniques for collating and inputting data have shown to be time consuming and provide little to improve or add value to the overall task of improving deliverables. Hence arose the need in the industry to develop a Digital Plan of Work (DPoW) toolkit that would aid the decision making process, providing the required control over the project workflows and data deliverables, and enabling better collaboration through transparency of need and delivery. The specification for the existing Digital Plan of Work (DPoW) was to be, an industry standard method of describing geometric, requirements and data deliveries at key stages of the project cycle, with the addition of a structured and standardised information classification system. However surveys and interviews conducted within this research indicate that the current DPoW resembles a digitised version of the pre-existing plans of work and does not push towards the data enriched decision-making abilities that advancements in technology now offer. A Digital Framework is not simply the digitisation of current or historic standard methods and procedures, it is a new intelligent driven digital system that uses new tools, processes, procedures and work flows to eradicate waste and increase efficiency. In addition to reporting on conducted surveys above, this research paper will present a theoretical investigation into usage of Intelligent Decision Support Systems within a digital plan of work framework. Furthermore this paper will present findings on the suitability to utilise advancements in intelligent decision-making system frameworks and Artificial Intelligence for a UK BIM Framework. This should form the foundations of decision-making for projects implemented at BIM level 2. The gap identified in this paper is that the current digital toolkit does not incorporate the intelligent characteristics available in other industries through advancements in technology and collation of vast amounts of data that a digital plan of work framework could have access to and begin to develop, learn and adapt for decision-making through the live interaction of project stakeholders.