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Synthesis
The synthesis of porous ZIFs generally consists of combining a hydrated metal salt, ImH species (imidazole with acidic proton), an amide solvent, and heat. The heat degrades the amide solvent to generate an amine, which deprotonates the imidazole and allows it to participate as a structural ligand to the metal. Common amide solvents include N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-diethylformamide, and N-methylpyrrolidine. Functionalized ImH linkers allow for control of ZIF topology. The addition of base such as pyridine, TEA, and NaOH can also facilitate ZIF formation. With the right heating conditions, molar ratios, and concentrations, this solvothermal process is ideal for generating monocrystalline materials for single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol have also been explored as alternative organic solvents for ZIF formation, while additives including sodium formate and poly-(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) allow control over size, yield, and speed of crystal formation. Sonication, which leverages acoustic cavitation, has also been seen to improve crystal nucleation speed and homogeneity.

Water has also been of great interest for ZIF synthesis, owing to its non-toxicity and non-flammability. In its simplest incarnations, water-based synthesis of ZIFs involves mixing zinc nitrate solution with imidazole solution at room temperature, and collecting the products by centrifugation. As in the case of organic solvents, the addition of triethylamine and ammonium hydroxide as deprotonating agents can facilitate ZIF formation. Water-soluble polymers such as poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO–PPO–PEO) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) can act as crystal dispersants, resulting in improved morphology outcomes in aqueous systems.

Ionic liquids have also been explored for ZIF synthesis. Ionic liquids can act as both solvents and templates, while being non-flammable, recyclable, and of low vapor pressure. Two such ionic liquids include 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(triuoromethyl) sulfonyl]imide, and  1-butyl-3- methyl-imidazolium tetrauoroborate. This article is very thorough, but gets bogged down in names of specific chemicals and substances that are being explored for ZIF applications. Providing examples is helpful, but consider significantly reducing the number of examples that are currently in your draft. user:Parkerjones3