Selective Benzene Capture by Metal‐Organic Frameworks

Abstract Benzene plays a pivotal role in industrial chemistry as a crucial precursor for a wide range of chemicals, from plastics to pharmaceuticals. However, its status as a hazardous volatile organic compound presents significant environmental and health risks due to its toxicity and persistence in the environment. Addressing these challenges requires effective benzene capture strategies capable of mitigating emissions and ensuring environmental safety. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), characterized by their tailored pore structures and versatile surface chemistries, have emerged as promising materials for benzene capture. In the gas phase, MOFs exhibit exceptional adsorption capabilities for removing trace benzene from industrial emissions and ambient air, thereby improving air quality and reducing health risks. In the liquid phase, MOFs enable the selective extraction of benzene from complex hydrocarbon mixtures during petroleum refining, improving process efficiency and product purity. In this review, the fundamental interactions between benzene and MOFs are explored, highlighting their potential in environmental remediation and industrial applications. By optimizing MOF design and understanding molecular interactions, this review aims to advance benzene capture technologies for sustainable industrial practices and environmental stewardship.