Chapter 3
Metal–Organic Gels
Abstract Metal–organic coordination has been incorporated in gels. In this
chapter, metal–organic gels are classified into two general catalogues according to
the nature of gelators and the interactions between gelators: gelation by discrete
molecules, and gelation by coordination polymers. In the section of discrete gelators, metal–organic gelators with monodentate ligands, metal–organic gelators with
chelate ligands, organometallic gelators and metal–organic gelators based on tripyridine and tridentate ligands are discussed. Coordination cycles and cages have
been employed as supramolecular gelators and are discussed in the second section.
In the third section, coordination polymer gels are discussed including
metal-carboxylate gels, metal-heterocycle polymer gels and coordination polymer
gels with hybrid donors. Finally, some typical applications of metal–organic gels
are discussed including gels as crystallization media, post-modification of organogels by metal ions, metal–organic gels for sorption, metal–organic gels as template and metal–organic gels as catalyst.
Keywords Metal–organic gels Á Supramolecular gels Á Discrete gelators
Organometallic compounds Á Coordination polymers Á Cage compounds
Porous materials
Metal–organic gels are classified into two general catalogues according to the
nature of gelators and the interactions between gelators: gelation by discrete
molecules, and gelation by coordination polymers. Metal–organic coordination
bonding can be involved to form low molecular weight gelators. Discrete metal–
organic gelators self-assemble to form gels through multiple non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, p–p stacking, hydrophobic and other
supramolecular weak interactions. Such gels may be readily reverted to the fluid
state by applying external stimuli (e.g. heating) to break the supramolecular weak
interactions, thus thermoreversible. Metal–organic coordination bonding is the
primary force in the formation of 3D gel networks as small molecules with multiple
Jianyong Zhang, Xiying Feng and Peisen Liao contributed together to this chapter.
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2018
J. Zhang et al., Gel Chemistry, Lecture Notes in Chemistry 96,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6881-2_3
61
Metal–Organic Gels
Abstract Metal–organic coordination has been incorporated in gels. In this
chapter, metal–organic gels are classified into two general catalogues according to
the nature of gelators and the interactions between gelators: gelation by discrete
molecules, and gelation by coordination polymers. In the section of discrete gelators, metal–organic gelators with monodentate ligands, metal–organic gelators with
chelate ligands, organometallic gelators and metal–organic gelators based on tripyridine and tridentate ligands are discussed. Coordination cycles and cages have
been employed as supramolecular gelators and are discussed in the second section.
In the third section, coordination polymer gels are discussed including
metal-carboxylate gels, metal-heterocycle polymer gels and coordination polymer
gels with hybrid donors. Finally, some typical applications of metal–organic gels
are discussed including gels as crystallization media, post-modification of organogels by metal ions, metal–organic gels for sorption, metal–organic gels as template and metal–organic gels as catalyst.
Keywords Metal–organic gels Á Supramolecular gels Á Discrete gelators
Organometallic compounds Á Coordination polymers Á Cage compounds
Porous materials
Metal–organic gels are classified into two general catalogues according to the
nature of gelators and the interactions between gelators: gelation by discrete
molecules, and gelation by coordination polymers. Metal–organic coordination
bonding can be involved to form low molecular weight gelators. Discrete metal–
organic gelators self-assemble to form gels through multiple non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, p–p stacking, hydrophobic and other
supramolecular weak interactions. Such gels may be readily reverted to the fluid
state by applying external stimuli (e.g. heating) to break the supramolecular weak
interactions, thus thermoreversible. Metal–organic coordination bonding is the
primary force in the formation of 3D gel networks as small molecules with multiple
Jianyong Zhang, Xiying Feng and Peisen Liao contributed together to this chapter.
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2018
J. Zhang et al., Gel Chemistry, Lecture Notes in Chemistry 96,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6881-2_3
61