Purification of Propylene and Ethylene by a Robust Metal–Organic Framework Mediated by Host–Guest Interactions

Industrial purification of propylene and ethylene requires cryogenic distillation selective hydrogenation over palladium catalysts to remove propane, ethane and/or trace amounts acetylene. Here, we report the excellent separation equimolar mixtures propylene/propane ethylene/ethane, a 1/100 mixture acetylene/ethylene by highly robust microporous material, MFM-520, under dynamic conditions. In situ synchrotron single crystal X-ray diffraction, inelastic neutron scattering analysis adsorption thermodynamic parameters reveal that series synergistic host–guest interactions involving hydrogen bonding ????? stacking underpin cooperative binding alkenes within pore. Notably, optimal pore geometry material enables accommodation The practical potential this porous has been demonstrated fabricating mixed-matrix membranes comprising Matrimid PIM-1, these exhibit not only high permeability for (?1984 Barrer), but also factor 7.8 an at 298 K.