Introduction

Introduction to Metal-organic Frameworks

Over the past 25 years, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as porous coordination polymers, have attracted a vast amount of interest due to the fact their synthesis can be directed to form certain topologies.1 In addition to their directed synthesis, the extensive applications of MOFs are also of interest. MOFs can be used in catalysis, gas separation and storage, and as a method of drug delivery;1 which this review will be focusing on.

The first people to report host/guest chemistry in MOFs were Lee and Yaghi, while working independently of each other.2,3 Lee was working on self-assembled systems which he later discovered had the properties to act as host molecules,2 while Yaghi synthesised a family of  MOFs with the aim of selectively binding aromatic guest molecules.3

In 2006, Férey at al. of the Institut Lavoisier began researching alternatives to the pre-existing “organic” and “inorganic” drug delivery routes.4 The group sought to improve on the drugs that be encapsulated by organic molecules, such as polymers, and the drug-loading capacities of inorganic zeolites.4 Having first encapsulated ibuprofen, the following decade has been spent attempting to encapsulate and ensure the effective release of anti-cancer agents.4,5