Coordination Polymer Design for Catalytic Efficiency Enhancement

Abstract

Coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks represent a revolutionary class of porous crystalline materials that have transformed heterogeneous catalysis through their unprecedented structural tunability, high surface areas, and designable active sites. This review examines strategic design approaches for enhancing catalytic efficiency in coordination polymer systems through rational manipulation of framework topology, metal center selection, ligand engineering, and pore environment optimization. The discussion encompasses reticular chemistry principles that guide framework construction, structure-property relationships governing catalytic performance, and emerging strategies including dual-metal site incorporation and programmable logic systems. Recent advances in copper-based coordination polymers demonstrate how auxiliary ligand selection and geometric control enable optimization of catalytic activities ranging from organic transformations to electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction and enzyme inhibition. Through systematic analysis of synthesis methodologies, structural characterization techniques, and catalytic evaluation protocols, this work illustrates fundamental design principles that connect framework architecture to catalytic efficiency. The integration of computational modeling with experimental validation enables predictive catalyst design and accelerates discovery of high-performance systems for industrial applications including wastewater treatment, fine chemical synthesis, and sustainable energy conversion. Understanding coordination polymer design principles provides essential guidance for developing next-generation catalytic materials with enhanced activities, selectivities, and stabilities that address critical challenges in chemical manufacturing and environmental remediation.