Nanopore-induced host–guest charge transfer phenomena in a metal–organic framework

Using the “crystal sponge” approach, weak organic electron donor molecules were impregnated and evenly distributed in a crystal of a metal–organic framework (MOF), with the self-assembly of the donor–acceptor pairs with electron acceptor ligands. The nanopores of the MOF confined them and induced a charge transfer phenomenon, which would not occur between donor and acceptor molecules in a bulk scale.