Suggested reading for MOF and COF

Best starting points: MOF

1. Zhou, Long & Yaghi, “Introduction to Metal–Organic Frameworks,” Chem. Rev. 2012
   Very short, but important as an entry point to the 2012 MOF-focused Chemical Reviews issue. Good for understanding how the field was framed conceptually.
2. Furukawa, Cordova, O’Keeffe & Yaghi, “The Chemistry and Applications of Metal–Organic Frameworks,” Science 2013
   Not Chem. Rev. or Chem. Soc. Rev., but I would still make every new MOF student read this early. It explains reticular synthesis, porosity, stability, and applications in a very clear way.
3. Natarajan & Mahata, “Metal–organic framework structures — how closely are they related to classical inorganic structures?”, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2009
   A real tutorial review. Good for students who struggle with nodes, nets, topology, and how MOF structures are described.
4. Tanabe & Cohen, “Postsynthetic modification of metal–organic frameworks—a progress report,” Chem. Soc. Rev. 2011
   Also a tutorial review. Very useful for beginners because PSM is one of the most important ideas in MOF chemistry: first build a framework, then chemically modify it.
5. Øien-Ødegaard et al., “Pitfalls in metal–organic framework crystallography,” Chem. Soc. Rev. 2017
   Highly recommended for any student who will read or report MOF crystal structures. It focuses on handling MOF crystals and interpreting single-crystal XRD data, especially pore solvent/disorder and twinning.
6. Carpenter et al., “Understanding and controlling the nucleation and growth of metal–organic frameworks,” Chem. Soc. Rev. 2023
   A good bridge from “what is a MOF?” to “how do MOFs actually crystallize?” Useful for students doing synthesis rather than only applications.
7. Han et al., “Development of the design and synthesis of metal–organic frameworks,” Chem. Soc. Rev. 2025
   A recent broad overview of MOF design and synthesis, including newer computational/AI-guided directions. Good after students have read older foundational reviews.

Best starting points: COF

1. Feng, Ding & Jiang, “Covalent organic frameworks,” Chem. Soc. Rev. 2012
   This is probably the best beginner tutorial review for COFs. It covers design concepts, dynamic covalent chemistry, synthesis, structural studies, and early functional exploration.
2. Geng et al., “Covalent Organic Frameworks: Design, Synthesis, and Functions,” Chem. Rev. 2020
   A major comprehensive review. I would assign this after the 2012 Chem. Soc. Rev. tutorial. It gives the historical development, design/synthesis principles, and application landscape.
3. Li et al., “New synthetic strategies toward covalent organic frameworks,” Chem. Soc. Rev. 2020
   Very useful for students actually making COFs. It emphasizes high-quality COF crystallites and films, and explains why reproducible synthesis is central to the field.
4. Wang et al., “Covalent organic frameworks for separation applications,” Chem. Soc. Rev. 2020
   Good application-focused review for students interested in adsorption, separation, membranes, water treatment, gas separation, and molecular/isomer separation.
5. Li et al., “Covalent organic frameworks for CO₂ capture: from laboratory curiosity to industry implementation,” Chem. Soc. Rev. 2023
   Good for showing how COF research moves from molecular design to practical constraints. I would recommend this for students thinking about real-world relevance rather than only material novelty.
6. Jiang, “Semiconducting Covalent Organic Frameworks,” Chem. Rev. 2025
   More specialized, but very useful for students working on optoelectronics, photocatalysis, charge transport, sensing, or photoresponsive COFs. It outlines structural features and structure–function correlations.

Suggested reading order for a new student

For MOF beginners, I would assign:

Furukawa/Yaghi Science 2013 → Zhou/Long/Yaghi Chem. Rev. 2012 → Natarajan Chem. Soc. Rev. 2009 → Tanabe/Cohen Chem. Soc. Rev. 2011 → Carpenter Chem. Soc. Rev. 2023

For COF beginners, I would assign:

Feng/Ding/Jiang Chem. Soc. Rev. 2012 → Geng/Jiang Chem. Rev. 2020 → Li Chem. Soc. Rev. 2020 synthetic strategies → then one application review depending on the student’s project

For our group, especially if the students work on sensing, catalysis, and AI-guided framework design, the most useful core set would be:

MOF: Furukawa/Yaghi 2013; Tanabe/Cohen 2011; Carpenter 2023; Han 2025.
COF: Feng/Ding/Jiang 2012; Geng/Jiang 2020; Li 2020 synthetic strategies; Wang 2020 separation applications.