Metal–organic fireworks: MOFs as integrated structural scaffolds for pyrotechnic materials

A new approach to formulating pyrotechnic materials is presented whereby constituent ingredients are bound together in a solid-state lattice. This reduces the batch inconsistencies arising from the traditional approach of combining powders by ensuring the key ingredients are ‘mixed’ in appropriate quantities and are in intimate contact. Further benefits of these types of material are increased safety levels as well as simpler logistics, storage and manufacture. A systematic series of new frameworks comprising fuel and oxidiser agents (group 1 and 2 metal nodes & terephthalic acid derivatives as linkers) has been synthesised and structurally characterised. These new materials have been assessed for pyrotechnic effect by calorimetry and burn tests. Results indicate that these materials exhibit the desired pyrotechnic material properties and the effect can be correlated to the dimensionality of the structure. A new approach to formulating pyrotechnic materials is proposed whereby constituent ingredients are bound together in a solid-state lattice. A series of Metal–organic framework frameworks comprising fuel and oxidiser agents exhibits the desired properties of a pyrotechnic material and this effect is correlated to the dimensionality of the structure

A solid-state [2 + 2] photodimerization involving coordination of Ag(I) ions to 2-pyridyl groups

<p>Photoreactive Ag(I) complexes of <i>p</i>-toluenesulfonate ions with the unsymmetrical alkene <i>trans</i>-1-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-2-(2-pyridyl)ethylene <b>1</b> is reported. The crystal [Ag(<i>p</i>-tol)(<b>1</b>)₂]•(H₂O) (<i>p</i>-tol = <i>p</i>-toluenesulfonate) undergoes a [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction in quantitative yield to afford the head-to-tail (ht) photoproduct <i>rctt</i>-1,3-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,4-bis(4-acetoxyphenyl)cyclobutane <b>2</b> regioselectively. The aromatic rings of the olefin participate in face-to-face π–π interactions and adopt an anti-conformation to position the carbon–carbon double bonds (C = C) in a suitable orientation to undergo photoreaction between neighboring complexes.</p