Metal organic frameworks are hybrid materials where metal ions or small nano-clusters are linked into one-, two- or three-dimensional structures by multi-functional organic linkers. When preparing such materials, inorganic chemistry is linked with the large diversity of organic synthetic chemistry resulting in an extreme large diversity of new possible MOF materials. Often, the MOF structures contain metal-oxide chains or nano-dots with special electronic and/or magnetic properties that can be utilized within electronics (nano-wires) or as sensors.

In many cases it is possible to remove solvent molecules from internal voids, leaving open micro- and Mesoporous structures. Extreme porosities and surface areas can then be obtained, and specific surface areas above 5000 m2/g have been reported! Such open, porous, structures have large potential as new adsorbents and catalysts, since it in principle is possible use conventional organic procedures to introduce a variety of functional groups, and thus tailor the affinity towards reactants and host molecules.