Magnesium Exchanged Zirconium Metal–Organic Frameworks with Improved Detoxification Properties of Nerve Agents

UiO-66, MOF-808 and NU-1000 metal–organic frameworks exhibit a differentiated reactivity toward [Mg­(OMe)₂(MeOH)₂]₄ related to their pore accessibility. Microporous UiO-66 remains unchanged while mesoporous MOF-808 and hierarchical micro/mesoporous NU-1000 materials yield doped systems containing exposed MgZr₅O₂(OH)₆ clusters in the mesoporous cavities. This modification is responsible for a remarkable enhancement of the catalytic activity toward the hydrolytic degradation of P–F and P–S bonds of toxic nerve agents, at room temperature, in unbuffered aqueous solutions.