Controlling flexibility of metal–organic frameworks

Framework flexibility is one of the most important characteristics of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which is not only interesting, but also useful for a variety of applications. Designing, tailoring or controlling framework flexibility of MOFs is much more difficult than for static structural features such as the framework topology and pore size/shape. Nevertheless, with in-depth understanding of the relationship between framework flexibility and the host framework structure, guest loading and other aspects such as the crystal size/morphology and external physical environment, some strategies have been developed for controlling the flexibility of MOFs and the corresponding properties, which are summarized and discussed in this review.