ABSTRACT
Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are an extraordinary class of crystalline materials, featuring extremely high surface areas, suitable for specific interactions with different target molecules. MOFs’ uniqueness lies in the precision with which strong chemical bonds are used to stitch molecular building blocks within their extended networks. Furthermore, their architecturally well-defined pores allow installing functionalities nearly at will and with crystallographic precision, in order to customize the identity of the material’s internal surface for its interaction with different guest molecules. Throughout this chapter, important definitions, construction concepts, relevant properties and different strategies to incorporate functionality in MOFs will be revised. While the permanent porosity and ultra-high surface areas found in these materials have been the motivation for challenging different applications, structural diversity and the opportunity to incorporate multifunctionality within the order have been inspirational for many scientists worldwide. This chapter aims to convey such inspiration.
