Emerging Applications of Nanoporous Molecular Crystals

Porous molecular crystals (PMCs) are a class of nanoporous materials composed of discrete, typically organic molecules held together by noncovalent interactions. While they parallel crystalline polymeric porous materials─zeolites, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and covalent organic frameworks (COFs)─in many of their characteristics, they are also distinctly solution- and vapor-processable, offering better possibilities for incorporation into devices and open unexplored frontiers in the creation of porous liquids. In this Spotlight, we will review and examine the examples of emerging applications of PMCs in gas storage and separations, analytical chemistry, the development of porous liquids, and other fields.