Two isostructural MOFs BUT-150 and BUT-151 with unique nickel clusters have been synthesized. The presence of open metal sites, large pi conjugation and appropriate pore size lead to efficient separation of the ternary C2H2/C2H6/C2H4 mixture.
The selective adsorption and separation of C 2 hydrocarbons have been achieved in a “flexible-robust” MOF based on a guest-dependent gate-opening effect.