Photo-responsive azo MOF exhibiting high selectivity for CO2 and xylene isomers

A combination of azo and acylamide ligands is used in the preparation of metal–organic frameworks. Light response research reveals that under UV–vis irradiation, the CO2 adsorption of 1 declines as much as 21.4%. 1 exhibits excellent CO2 adsorption selectivity over CH4, O2, CO, and N2 gasses with IAST selectivity of 21–580 at 293 K. This MOF also has promising potential in separation of xylene isomers in the liquid phase with the adsorption of p-xylene of 265.15, o-xylene of 101.25 and m-xylene of 0 mg g−1, respectively.