The new design strategy contributes to the discovery of organometallic structures.

An innovative strategy known as the "Up-down Approach" can significantly accelerate the creation of organometal structures (MOF). The article was published in the journal Nature Synthesis.

A research team led by Professor Wonyoung Choi from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea, has developed a new MOF design strategy. MOFs, consisting of metal clusters and organic molecules, are becoming the most important materials for various applications, including carbon dioxide capture, storage and catalysis.

Their main advantage is a customizable structure that allows you to create materials with individual properties.

Traditionally, MOFs were developed using a bottom-up or top-down approach. The bottom-up approach begins with the selection of metal clusters and organic ligands, followed by a study of potential structures. On the contrary, the top-down approach begins with the desired structure and determines the appropriate components to achieve the target structure.

The "Up-down" approach combines these methodologies, contributing to a broader study of structures based on metal clusters before selecting suitable organic ligands. This approach overcomes the limitations of traditional methods, which are often limited to predetermined components and structural constraints.

By providing new combinations of different elements, the "Up-Down" approach opens up new opportunities for opening new structures that were previously unavailable.

Applying this strategy, the team identified 26 new Zirconium-based MOFs, which are known for their high chemical stability. They successfully synthesized two of these new structures, demonstrating the effectiveness of the up-down approach.

In addition, the team used the "Tape View" to visualize the exact geometric characteristics of organic ligands, which further increased the accuracy and efficiency of the design process.

Jiyeon Kim, the first author of the study, said: "The Up-Down approach is a powerful tool for rapid study and development of new materials with a wide range of chemical properties. This method significantly increases the effectiveness of research in the field of material development".

Study co-author Donsik Nam added: "This study paves the way for the discovery of innovative materials that can be used in various fields, including catalysis, gas storage and environmental restoration."

Professor Wonyoung Choi noted: "Our study represents a significant progress in expanding the chemical space of MOF, significantly expanding their potential application. We expect this to be a turning point in the research of functional materials."