Highly sensitive and recyclable sensing of Fe3+ ions based on a luminescent anionic [Cd(DMIPA)]2- framework with exposed thioether group in the snowflake-like channels

The Chemistry and Applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as Industrial Enzyme Immobilization Systems

Enzymatic biocatalysis is a sustainable technology. Enzymes are versatile and highly efficient biocatalysts, and have been widely employed due to their biodegradable nature. However, because the three-dimensional structure of these enzymes is predominantly maintained by weaker non-covalent interactions, external conditions, such as temperature and pH variations, as well as the presence of chemical compounds, can modify or even neutralize their biological activity. The enablement of this category of processes is the result of the several advances in the areas of molecular biology and biotechnology achieved over the past two decades. In this scenario, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are highlighted as efficient supports for enzyme immobilization. They can be used to ‘house’ a specific enzyme, providing it with protection from environmental influences. This review discusses MOFs as structures; emphasizes their synthesis strategies, properties, and applications; explores the existing methods of using immobilization processes of various enzymes; and lists their possible chemical modifications and combinations with other compounds to formulate the ideal supports for a given application.

Rational design and synthesis of a stable pillar-layer NaI-organic framework as a multi-responsive luminescent sensor in aqueous solutions

A stable pillar-layer Na^I-organic framework, [Na₂(DCPB)∙(H₂O)₂]_n (namely 1), was rationally designed and synthesized by the assemble process of Na^I and 1,3-di(4'-carboxyl-phenyl)benzene (H₂DCPB). Benefiting from the luminescent property and high stability in water, the as-synthesized 1 is a potential multi-responsive luminescent sensor material toward Cr₂O₇^2-, Fe³⁺, and nitrofurazone (NFZ) in water. Ground 1 not only has the excellent detectability and selectivity but also possesses outstanding stability and circularity. The calculated K_sv values of 1 are 8.8×10³ for Fe³⁺, 9.9×10³ for Cr₂O₇^2-, and 2.7×10⁴ M^-1 for NFZ in aqueous solutions, respectively. Furthermore, 1 is able to accurately detect NFZ in real bovine serum samples through luminescence detection technology.

Dramatic luminescence signal from a Co(ii)-based metal–organic compound due to the construction of charge-transfer bands with Al3+ and Fe3+ ions in water: steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic studies

A Co(ii)-based metal–organic compound exhibits luminescence turn-on by Al³⁺ and quenching by Fe³⁺ due to the formation of charge-transfer complexes/adducts.

An adjustable dual-emission fluorescent metal-organic framework: Effective detection of multiple metal ions, nitro-based molecules and DMA

A novel multifunctional Pb(II)-based MOF, [Pb_1.5(DBPT)]₂·(DMA)₃(H₂O)₄ (1), with excellent chemical stability, was successfully assembled by connecting {Pb₂O₁₀} unit with a multi-topic polycarboxylate ligand of 3-(3,5-dicarboxylphenyl)-5-(4-carboxylphenyl)-1-H-1,2,4-triazole (H₃DBPT). It exhibits dual fluorescence emissions at 380 nm (λ_ex = 280 nm) and 540 nm (λ_ex = 380 nm), respectively. Through the adjustable dual fluorescence emissions, it could act as a turn-off and turn-on switch for detecting N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) molecule. Moreover, Fe³⁺ ions exert luminescence quenching role on compound 1 at both excitation lengths in water, among which the quenching at λ_ex = 280 nm is of high sensitivity (K_SV = 1.2 × 10⁵), and the quenching at λ_ex = 380 nm is of wide-range. The sensing for metal ions of In³⁺, Zr⁴⁺, and Al³⁺ is also effective at λ_ex = 280 nm, with the K_SV constants of 1.6 × 10⁵, 1.6 × 10⁵, and 4.3 × 10⁴, respectively. More importantly, a series of nitroaromatic compounds (TNP, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol; 4-NA, 4-nitroaniline; NB, nitrobenzene) and nitro-based drugs (MNZ, metronidazole; DMZ, dimetridazole) could be detected at both excitation lengths, demonstrating the advantage of broad range response of fluorescence sensing. Thanks to the excellent chemical stability and unusual dual emission luminescence properties for chemical detection of various metal ions, nitro-based molecules and DMA solvent, the Pb-based MOF reported in this work is, therefore, a very promising multi-response sensor.

Band gap, sorption properties and fluorescence sensing behaviour of a novel 1D→2D cathenane-like cobalt(II)–organic framework

A novel hydrolytic stable CoII–organic framework, namely poly[[bis(2-amino-4-sulfonatobenzoato-κO 1)tetraaquatris{μ-1,4-bis[(imidazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene-κ2 N 3:N 3′}dicobalt(II)] tetrahydrate], {[Co(C7H5NO5S)(C14H14N4)1.5(H2O)2]·2H2O} n , (1), based on multifunctional 2-amino-5-sulfobenzoic acid (H2asba) and the auxiliary flexible ligand 1,4-bis[(imidazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene (bix), was prepared using the solution evaporation method. The purity of (1) was confirmed by elemental analysis and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. Complex (1) shows a novel 1D→2D interpenetrating network, which is further extended into a 3D supramolecular framework with channels occupied by the lattice water molecules. The 2-amino-4-sulfonatobenzoate (asba2−) ligand adopts a monodentate coordination mode. The bix ligands exhibit gauche–gauche (GG) and trans–trans (TT) conformations. A detailed analysis of the solid-state diffuse-reflectance UV–Vis spectrum reveals that an indirect band gap exists in the complex. The band structure, the total density of states (TDOS) and the partial density of states (PDOS) were calculated using the CASTEP program. The calculated band gap (E g) matches well with the experimental one. The complex exhibits a reversible dehydration–rehydration behaviour. Interestingly, gas sorption experiments demonstrate that the new fully anhydrous compound obtained by activating complex (1) at 400 K shows selective adsorption of CO2 over N2. Complex (1) retains excellent framework stability in a variety of solvents and manifests distinct solvent-dependent fluorescence properties. Moreover, the complex shows multiresponsive fluorescence sensing for some nitroaromatics in aqueous medium.

Preparation, characterization and luminescence-sensing properties of two ZnII MOFs with mixed 5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalic acid and bipyridyl-type ligands

The bromo-substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acid 5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalic acid (H2ATBIP), in the presence of the N-donor flexible bipyridyl-type ligands 1,3-bis(pyridin-4-yl)propane (bpp) and N,N′-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)oxalamide (4-bpme) and ZnII ions, was used as an O-donor ligand to assemble two novel luminescent metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), namely poly[[(μ-5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalato-κ2 O 1:O 3)[μ-1,3-bis(pyridin-4-yl)propane-κ2 N:N′]zinc(II)] dimethylformamide monosolvate], {[Zn(C8H2Br3NO4)(C13H14N2)]·C3H7NO} n , (1), and poly[[(μ-5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalato-κ2 O 1:O 3)diaqua[μ-N,N′-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)oxalamide-κ2 N:N′]zinc(II)] monohydrate], {[Zn(C8H2Br3NO4)(C14H14N4O2)(H2O)2]·H2O} n , (2), using the solution evaporation method. Both (1) and (2) were characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (EA), solid-state diffuse-reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopy, and powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex (1) shows a two-dimensional (2D) corrugated layer simplified as a 2D (4,4) topological network. The supramolecular interactions (π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding and C—Br...Br halogen bonding) play significant roles in the formation of an extended three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular network of (1). Complex (2) crystallizes in the chiral space group P212121 and exhibits a novel 3D homochiral framework, showing a diamond-like topology with Schläfli symbol 66. The homochirality of (2) is further confirmed by the solid-state circular dichroism (CD) spectrum. The second harmonic generation (SHG) property of (2) was also investigated. The hydrogen and C—Br...Br/O halogen bonding further stabilize the framework of (2). The central ZnII ions in (1) and (2) show tetrahedral and octahedral coordination geometries, respectively. The coordinated and uncoordinated water molecules in (2) could be removed selectively upon heating. Most importantly, (1) and (2) show rapid and highly sensitive sensing for a large pool of nitroaromatic explosives (NAEs).