Interior precisely designed metal–organic framework for light hydrocarbons separation

The separation and purification of light hydrocarbons are performed by energy-intensive distillation processes. Microporous metal–organic framework based absorbents acting as alternative technology gains focus. Open metals sites (OMSs) enriched MOF-74 show great potential in light hydrocarbons but its separation selectivity is low and difficult to regenerate. To address this issue, we introduced N -donor ligands into open sites of Co-MOF-74 by post modification. Structure was determined by powder X-ray diffraction, element analysis, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses. As-synthesized modified Co-MOF-74 display potential in C 2 H 4 /C 2 H 6 , C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 , C 3 H 8 /CH 4 and C 2 H 6 /CH 4 separation for N -donor ligands placeholder.