Discriminatory Gate-Opening Effect in a Flexible Metal–Organic Framework for Inverse CO₂/C₂H₂ Separation

Considering the significant application of acetylene (C₂H₂) in the manufacturing and petrochemical industries, the selective capture of impurity carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a crucial task and an enduring challenge. Here, a flexible metal–organic framework (Zn-DPNA) accompanied by a conformation change of the Me₂NH₂⁺ ions in the framework is reported. The solvate-free framework provides a stepped adsorption isotherm and large hysteresis for C₂H₂, but type-I adsorption for CO₂. Owing to their uptakes difference before gate-opening pressure, Zn-DPNA demonstrated favorable inverse CO₂/C₂H₂ separation. According to molecular simulation, the higher adsorption enthalpy of CO₂ (43.1 kJ mol⁻¹) is due to strong electrostatic interactions with Me₂NH₂⁺ ions, which lock the hydrogen-bond network and narrow pores. Furthermore, the density contours and electrostatic potential verifies the middle of the cage in the large pore favors C₂H₂ and repels CO₂, leading to the expansion of the narrow pore and further diffusion of C₂H₂. These results provide a new strategy that optimizes the desired dynamic behavior for one-step purification of C₂H₂.