日本ゼオライト学会　刊行物 Publication of Japan Zeolite Association

Molecular separation technologies support our daily lives in all aspects, including materials, energy, and medicine. However, most of the conventional separation technologies are specialized for low-molecular-weight compounds, making it challenging to discern and separate minute structural differences within large polymeric compounds. To address this limitation, we have developed a novel separation technique utilizing nanoporous coordination materials known as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). This approach enables the precise identification and separation of polymers. By leveraging the adsorption process of polymers into the nano-sized pores of MOFs, we can distinguish various structural differences such as terminal groups, chain topologies, monomer sequences, and higher-order structures. Moreover, integrating this recognition principle into liquid chromatography facilitates easier and more accurate polymer separation. In this review, the principles, recent achievements, and future prospects of polymer recognition by MOFs will be presented.