Assembly and Upconversion Properties of Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Based on Hexanuclear Building Blocks with (μ3-OH) Bridges

A 12-Connected [Y4((μ3-OH)4]8+ Cluster-Based Luminescent Metal-Organic Framework for Selective Turn-on Detection of F- in H2O

Fluoride ion (F-) is one of the most hazardous elements in potable water. Over intake of F- can give rise to dental fluorosis, kidney failure, or DNA damage. As a result, developing affordable, equipment-free and credible approaches for F- detection is an important task. In this work, a new three dimensional rare earth cluster-based metal-organic framework assembled from lanthanide Y(III) ion, and a linear multifunctional ligand 3-nitro-4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, formulated as {[Y(μ3-OH)]4[Y(μ3-OH)(μ2-H2O)0.25(H2O)0.5]4[μ4-nba]8}n (1), where H2nba = 3-nitro-4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized through infrared spectroscopy (IR), elemental and thermal analysis (EA), power X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analyses. X-ray diffraction structural analysis revealed that 1 crystallizes in tetragonal system with P4¯21m space group, and features a 3D framework with 1D square 18.07(3)2 Å2 channels running along the [0,0,1] or c-axis direction. The structure of 1 is built up of unusual eight-membered rings formed by two types of {Y4O4} clusters connected to each other via 12 μ4-nba2- and 4 μ3-OH- ligands. Three crystallographic independent Y3+ ions display two coordinated configurations with a seven-coordinated distorted monocapped trigonal-prism (YO7) and an eight-coordinated approximately bicapped trigonal-prism (YO8). 1 is further stabilized through O-H⋯O, O-H⋯N, C-H⋯O, and π⋯π interactions. Topologically, MOF 1 can be simplified as a 12-connected 2-nodal Au4Ho topology with a Schläfli symbol {420·628·818}{43}4 or a 6-connected uninodal pcu topology with a Schläfli symbol {412·63}. The fluorescent sensing application of 1 was investigated to cations and anions in H2O. 1 exhibits good luminescence probing turn-on recognition ability toward F- and with a limit detection concentration of F- down to 14.2 μM in aqueous solution (Kec = 11403 M-1, R2 = 0.99289, σ = 0.0539). The findings here provide a feasible detection platform of LnMOFs for highly sensitive discrimination of F- in aqueous media.

Adapting UFF4MOF for Heterometallic Rare-Earth Metal-Organic Frameworks

Heterometallic metal-organic frameworks based on rare-earth metals (RE-MOFs) have potential in a number of applications where energy transfer between nearby metal atoms is required. This observation implies that it is important to understand the level of local mixing that is achieved between metals of different types during synthesis of RE-MOFs. Density functional theory calculations can give quantitative information on the relative energy of different configurations of RE-MOFs, but these calculations cannot be applied to the full range of medium- and long-range orderings that are possible in heterometallic materials. This limitation can be overcome using force field (FF)-based calculations if appropriate FFs are available. We show that an existing generic FF for MOFs, UFF4MOF, does not accurately predict energies of mixing in heterometallic Nd/Yb MOFs and introduce a modified FF to address this shortcoming. The resulting FF is used to explore metal orderings in large simulation volumes for a Nd/Yb MOF, illustrating the complexities that can arise in the structure of heterometallic RE-MOFs.

Trends in Siting of Metals in Heterometallic Nd-Yb Metal-Organic Frameworks and Molecular Crystals

Several studies suggest that metal ordering within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is important for understanding how MOFs behave in relevant applications; however, these siting trends can be difficult to determine experimentally. To garner insight into the energetic driving forces that may lead to nonrandom ordering within heterometallic MOFs, we employ density functional theory (DFT) calculations on several bimetallic metal-organic crystals composed of Nd and Yb metal atoms. We also investigate the metal siting trends for a newly synthesized MOF. Our DFT-based energy of mixing results suggest that Nd will likely occupy sites with greater access to electronegative atoms and that local homometallic domains within a mixed-metal Nd-Yb system are favored. We also explore the use of less computationally extensive methods such as classical force fields and cluster expansion models to understand their feasibility for large system sizes. This study highlights the impact of metal ordering on the energetic stability of heterometallic MOFs and crystal structures.

A Highly Stable Yttrium Organic Framework as a Host for Optical Thermometry and D2 O Detection

The yttrium organic framework (Y0.89 Tb0.10 Eu0.01 )6 (BDC)7 (OH)4 (H2 O)4 (BDC=benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate) is hydrothermally stable up to at least 513 K and thermally stable in air in excess of 673 K. The relative intensities of luminescence of Tb3+ and Eu3+ are governed by Tb3+ -to-Eu3+ phonon-assisted energy transfer and Tb3+ -to-ligand back transfer and are responsible for the differing temperature-dependent luminescence of the two ions. This provides a ratiometric luminescent thermometer in the 288-573 K temperature range, not previously seen for MOF materials, with a high sensitivity, 1.69±0.04 % K-1 at 523 K. In aqueous conditions, loosely bound H2 O can be replaced by D2 O in the same material, which modifies decay lifetimes to yield a quantitative luminescent D2 O sensor with a useful sensitivity for practical application.

Recent Advances in Luminescence Imaging of Biological Systems Using Lanthanide(III) Luminescent Complexes

The use of luminescence in biological systems allows one to diagnose diseases and understand cellular processes. Molecular systems, particularly lanthanide(III) complexes, have emerged as an attractive system for application in cellular luminescence imaging due to their long emission lifetimes, high brightness, possibility of controlling the spectroscopic properties at the molecular level, and tailoring of the ligand structure that adds sensing and therapeutic capabilities. This review aims to provide a background in luminescence imaging and lanthanide spectroscopy and discuss selected examples from the recent literature on lanthanide(III) luminescent complexes in cellular luminescence imaging, published in the period 2016-2020. Finally, the challenges and future directions that are pointing for the development of compounds that are capable of executing multiple functions and the use of light in regions where tissues and cells have low absorption will be discussed.

A hydrothermally stable ytterbium metal-organic framework as a bifunctional solid-acid catalyst for glucose conversion

Yb6(BDC)7(OH)4(H2O)4 contains both bridging hydroxyls and metal-coordinated waters, possessing Brønsted and Lewis acid sites. The material crystallises from water at 200 °C. Using the solid as a heterogenous catalyst, glucose is converted into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, via fructose, with a total selectivity of ∼70% after 24 hours at 140 °C in water alone: the material is recyclable with no loss of crystallinity.

Uncovering the Structural Diversity of Y(III) Naphthalene-2,6-Dicarboxylate MOFs Through Coordination Modulation

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-network structures built from metal ions or clusters and connecting organic ligands-are typically synthesized by solvothermal self-assembly. For transition metal based MOFs, structural predictability is facilitated by control over coordination geometries and linker connectivity under the principles of isoreticular synthesis. For rare earth (RE) MOFs, coordination behavior is dominated by steric and electronic factors, leading to unpredictable structures, and poor control over self-assembly. Herein we show that coordination modulation-the addition of competing ligands into MOF syntheses-offers programmable access to six different Y(III) MOFs all connected by the same naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate ligand, despite controlled synthesis of multiple phases from the same metal-ligand combination often being challenging for rare earth MOFs. Four of the materials are isolable in bulk phase purity, three are amenable to rapid microwave synthesis, and the fluorescence sensing ability of one example toward metal cations is reported. The results show that a huge variety of structurally versatile MOFs can potentially be prepared from simple systems, and that coordination modulation is a powerful tool for systematic control of phase behavior in rare earth MOFs.

Controlled synthesis of up-conversion luminescent Gd/Tm-MOFs for pH-responsive drug delivery and UCL/MRI dual-modal imaging

Using a facile one-step hydrothermal method, a series of metal–organic frameworks containing Gd/Tm (Gd/Tm-MOFs) were prepared successfully.

Emerging Multifunctional Metal-Organic Framework Materials

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as coordination polymers, represent an interesting type of solid crystalline materials that can be straightforwardly self-assembled through the coordination of metal ions/clusters with organic linkers. Owing to the modular nature and mild conditions of MOF synthesis, the porosities of MOF materials can be systematically tuned by judicious selection of molecular building blocks, and a variety of functional sites/groups can be introduced into metal ions/clusters, organic linkers, or pore spaces through pre-designing or post-synthetic approaches. These unique advantages enable MOFs to be used as a highly versatile and tunable platform for exploring multifunctional MOF materials. Here, the bright potential of MOF materials as emerging multifunctional materials is highlighted in some of the most important applications for gas storage and separation, optical, electric and magnetic materials, chemical sensing, catalysis, and biomedicine.

Structure and efficient luminescence upconversion of Ln(iii) aromatic N-oxide coordination polymers

A series of lanthanide-based coordination polymers {[Yb1-xErx(4,4'-bpdo)3(H2O)2](CF3SO3)3}∞ were synthesised by solvent diffusion techniques, where 4,4'-bpdo = 4,4'-bipyridine-N,N'-dioxide, and using differing mole fractions of Yb(iii) and Er(iii) which were systematically varied (x = 0, 0.05, 0.20, 0.50 and 1). All of the materials obtained were characterised using elemental analyses, single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and solid-state photoluminescence studies. Structurally, the coordination polymers crystallise as an isomorphous series of infinite 2D sheets, which contain two inner sphere water molecules, and are isostructural with a previously characterised homometallic Yb(iii) compound. In addition to the normal Near Infra-Red (NIR) luminescence, these compounds also demonstrate upconversion emission upon 980 nm excitation. Upconversion luminescence measurements reveal visible emission in the red, green, and blue regions corresponding to the (2)H11/2→(4)I15/2, (4)F9/2→(4)I15/2 and (2)H9/2→(4)I15/2 transitions of the Er(iii) cation upon two and three-photon excitation. We also observed weak emission from the Er(iii) cation in the UV region for the first time in a Ln-MOF based material.

Lanthanide coordination frameworks: crystal structure, down- and up-conversion luminescence and white light emission

New lanthanide coordination frameworks were synthesized. White light emission and up-conversion emission were realized using Gd:Tb,Eu/Gd:Yb,Er doped complexes, respectively.

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of Nd3+ and Pr3+ 2D polymers with tetrafluoro-p-phthalate

Two lanthanide tetrafluoro-p-phthalate (L(2-)) complexes, Ln(L)(1.5)·DMF·H(2)O (Ln = Pr(3+) (1), Nd(3+) (2)), were synthesized using pyridine as a base. The compounds were found to be isostructural, and the structure of 1 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (monoclinic, space group C2, a = 22.194(2) Å, b = 11.4347(12) Å, c = 11.7160(12) Å, β = 94.703(2)°, V = 2963.3(5) Å(3), Z = 4). The crystal structure of 1 consists of dinuclear Pr(3+) units, which are connected by tetrafluoro-p-phthalate, forming separate 2D polymeric layers. The Ln(3+) ions in the dinuclear Ln(2) units are linked by two μ-O atoms and by two bridging O-C-O groups. The structure is porous with DMF and water molecules located between layers. Non-coordinated DMF molecules occupy about 27% of the unit cell volume. A systematic analysis of reported structures of Ln(III) polymers with p-phthalate and its derivatives shows that the ca. known 60 structures can be divided into six possible structural types depending on the presence of certain structural motifs. The magnetic properties of compounds 1 and 2 were studied. The dependence of χ(M)T on T (where χ(M) is magnetic susceptibility per dinuclear lanthanide unit) for 1 and 2 was simulated using two different models, based on: (i) the Hamiltonian Ĥ = ΔĴ(z)(2)+ μ(B)g(J)HĴ, which utilises an axial splitting parameter Δ and temperature-independent paramagnetism (tip) and (ii) crystal field splitting. It was found that both models gave satisfactory fits, indicating that the Ln-Ln exchange interactions are small and the symmetry of the coordination environment is the main factor influencing the magnetic properties of these compounds.

Self-assembly and characterization of copper 3,4-pyridinedicarboxylate complexes based on a variety of polynuclear hydroxo clusters

Self-assembly of copper(ii) ion, 3,4-pyridinedicarboxylate (PDC), and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) under basic conditions at 100 °C affords four PDC linked copper(ii) complexes, [Cu(4)(μ(2)-OH)(3)(μ(3)-OH)(PDC)(phen)(4)](n)·n(PDC)·11.5 nH2O (1), [Cu(4)(μ(2)-OH)(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(PDC)(phen)(4)](n)·n(PDC)· 11.5 nH(2)O (2), [Cu(8)(μ(2)-OH)(2)(μ(3)-OH)(6)(PDC)(2)(phen)(8)]·2(PDC)·23 H(2)O (3), and [Cu(3.5)(μ(2)-OH)(3) (PDC)(2)(phen)](n) (4). 1-4 are copper hydroxo complexes, and 1, 2 and 3 co-crystallized from the one-pot reaction. X-ray single crystal diffraction analyses indicate that complexes 1 and 2 are linkage isomers and contain tetranuclear copper cluster cores with different geometry, and that PDC links the cluster core to form a one-dimensional chain. Complex 3 is a discrete step-like octanuclear copper hydroxo cluster complex. The involvement of hydroxo and phen in the coordination makes some coordination sites of PDC idle, which leads to rich hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions in complexes 1, 2 and 3. Complex 4 contains two types of copper hydroxo cluster cores: chair-like tetranuclear and linear trinuclear units, and the cluster cores are linked by PDC to a double-layer metal-organic framework. Magnetic properties of 1, 3 and 4 were investigated. The results reveal that complexes 3 and 4 exhibit strong antiferromagnetic interactions whereas ferromagnetic coupling is predominant for complex 1. The magnetic properties are analyzed in connection with their structures.

Luminescent multifunctional lanthanides-based metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks based on trivalent lanthanides (LnMOFs) are a very promising class of materials for addressing the challenges in engineering of luminescent centres. Lanthanide-bearing phosphors find numerous applications in lighting, optical communications, photonics and biomedical devices. In this critical review we discuss the potential of LnMOFs as multifunctional systems, which combine light emission with properties such as microporosity, magnetism, chirality, molecule and ion sensing, catalysis and activity as multimodal imaging contrast agents. We argue that these materials present a unique chance of observing synergy between several of these properties, such as the coupling between photoluminescence and magnetism. Moreover, an integrated approach towards the design of efficient, stable, cheap, environmentally-friendly and multifunctional luminescent LnMOFs is still missing. Although research into LnMOFs is at its early stage and much basic knowledge is still needed, the field is ripe for new ideas, which will enable sensor devices and photonic prototypes to become a commercial reality (81 references).