Synthesis and properties of a novel photochromic metal organic framework for rapid amine selective sensing and Cr2O72− detection

A Phosphorescent P/N/S Hybrid Ligand Stabilized Au2Cu Complex Selectively Senses Ammonia and Amines

Reaction of a P/N/S hybrid ligand dpppyatc (N,N-bis((diphenylphosphaneyl)methyl)-N-(pyridin-2-yl)-amino-thiocarbamide) with Au(tht)Cl (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) and [Cu(MeCN)4]BF4 afforded cluster complex [Au2Cu(dpppyatc)2](BF4)2Cl (1). Upon excitation at 480 nm, 1 emitted orange phosphorescence at 646 nm, which was red-shifted to ~698 nm selectively in the presence of ammonia or amine vapor. This chromic photoluminescent response toward ammonia was sensitive and reversible. Complex1 could detect ammonia in aqueous solution down to concentrations of 2 ppm (w/w).

A viologen-derived luminescent material exhibiting photochromism, photocontrolled luminescence and selective detection of Cr2O72- in aqueous solution

Stable viologen-derived multifunctional smart materials exhibit widespread practical applications in many areas. In this study, a viologen-derived material with 4-fold interpenetrating diamondoid network, {[Cd(1,4-ndc)(cpbpy)]·2H2O}n, was successfully constructed based on asymmetrical N-(3-carboxyphenyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium (cpbpy) and 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (1,4-H2ndc). The compound shows reversible photochromic behavior under a xenon lamp, which are proved by UV-vis spectra and EPR characterizations. Moreover, the compound with good photoluminescence properties displays photocontrolled luminescence quenching behaviors. Owing to its good water stability, the compound is then applied in luminescence sensing for the detection of Cr2O72- in aqueous solution. The corresponding luminescence quenching constant for Cr2O72- is KSV = 4.33 × 104 M-1, and the detection limit is 3.66 μM. Systematic investigations on the luminescence quenching mechanism suggest that the inner filter effect resulted in the selective detection of Cr2O72-. This study provides inspiration for the design and synthesis of target luminescent crystalline materials with rigid and asymmetric viologen-derived ligands.

Structure and properties of metal-organic frameworks modulated by sulfate ions

Anions play a significant role in the construction of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Anions can affect coordination between metal ions and organic ligands, and the formation of crystal structures, thereby affecting the structure and properties of MOFs. Two novel 3D porous MOFs ({[Cd3(TIPE)2(SO4)1.6(H2O)2.4]·2.8OH·6.2H2O}n (MOF-1) and {[Cd3(TIPE)2(SO4)3(H2O)2]·10H2O}n (MOF-2)) were successfully synthesized, by introducing SO42- to design and adjust their structure and properties, in which the sulfate ions not only participated in coordination but also played a bridging role. Both MOF-1 and MOF-2 exhibited high stability and strong fluorescence properties, and their fluorescence properties also changed compared to those of previously reported 2D nonporous MOF-3 ({[Cd2(TIPE)2Cl3(ACN)]·CdCl3·3H2O}n) with an identical ligand. They could also be used in combination with MOF-3 to distinguish between Fe3+ and Cr2O72- ions, due to a change in their fluorescence properties. In this work, the structure was reshaped by introducing sulfate ions, and the role and function of the sulfate ions in the structure were studied, providing a feasible idea for the design and precise regulation of MOFs.

Stimulus-Responsive Lanthanide MOF Materials Encapsulated with Viologen Derivatives: Characterization, Photophysical Properties and Sensing on Nitrophenols

Viologens (1,1'-disubstituted 4,4'-bipyridyls) possessing electron-deficient properties and redox activity are a class of suitable chromophores to assemble metal-organic hybrid photochromic materials. Thus, viologen-functionalized metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much attention for their photochromic properties; however, the syntheses of lanthanide-viologen hybrid crystalline photochromic materials still face many challenges. For example, the structures and properties of the final products are difficult to predict and are limited by molecular configurations. In this work, host-guest composite-material Ln-NH₂ BDC-pbpy MOFs were constructed by encapsulating viologen derivative pbpyCl₂ . The pbpy²⁺ moieties are uniformly embed by their π-π conjugation in the pores of the 3D structure by electrostatic interactions. Due to the encapsulation of the chromophore pbpy²⁺ moieties, Ln-NH₂ BDC-pbpy MOFs have reversible photochromic properties: they can change color after irradiation and can return to the original color after being protected from light or heating. Interestingly, the fluorescence intensity decreases with illumination time and recovers in the dark. As a result, Ln-NH₂ BDC-pbpy MOFs show both photochromic and photomodulated fluorescence. Based on the outstanding fluorescence performance of the Ln-NH₂ BDC-pbpy MOFs, they also show a wonderful effect for detecting nitrophenols, especially TNP.

Metal-organic framework bearing new viologen ligand for ammonia and Cr2O7 2- sensing

Three anionic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) {[Zn3(BTEC)2(H2O)(4-BCBPY)]·(H2O)} n (1-3) (BTEC4- = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid anion, 4-BCBPY2+ = 1,1'-bis(4-cyanobenzyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium dication) were synthesized in the reaction of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid with different metal salts such as ZnNO3, ZnCl2, and ZnSO4, under solvothermal conditions in the presence of 1,1'-bis(4-cyanobenzyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium chloride. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that compounds 1, 2 and 3 have MOF structures based on binuclear metal building units, which are connected by two protonated BTEC4- ligands and three zinc ions, and the viologen cation 4-BCBPY2+ is located in the channel to achieve charge balance. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 have good photosensitivity, respond to sunlight, UV light and blue ray, and turn blue. The D-A distance and π-π stacking distance of the discolored samples (1P, 2P and 3P) changed. In addition, the three compounds showed visible color changes to ammonia vapor, rapidly changing from white to blue. At the same time, the three compounds exhibited fluorescence quenching to ammonia vapor and Cr2O7 2-. It is further proved that compounds 1, 2 and 3 are fluorescent sensors with a low detection limit (for Cr2O7 2-: 10-5 M) and high sensitivity for ammonia vapor and Cr2O7 2-. It was found that photochromic behavior, ammonia sensing properties can be tuned by the nature of metal salts.