A Tetrathiafulvalene/Naphthalene Diimide-Containing Metal-Organic Framework with fsc Topology for Highly Efficient Near-Infrared Photothermal Conversion

Porous Crystalline Materials Based on Tetrathiafulvalene and Its Analogues: Assembly, Charge Transfer, and Applications

ConspectusThe directed synthesis and functionalization of porous crystalline materials pose significant challenges for chemists. The synergistic integration of different functionalities within an ordered molecular material holds great significance for expanding its applications as functional materials. The presence of coordination bonds connected by inorganic and organic components in molecular materials can not only increase the structural diversity of materials but also modulate the electronic structure and band gap, which further regulates the physical and chemical properties of molecular materials. In fact, porous crystalline materials with coordination bonds, which inherit the merits of both organic and inorganic materials, already showcase their superior advantages in optical, electrical, and magnetic applications. In addition to the inorganic components that provide structural rigidity, organic ligands of various types serve as crucial connectors in the construction of functional porous crystalline materials. In addition, redox activity can endow organic linkers with electrochemical activity, thereby making them a perfect platform for the study of charge transfer with atom-resolved single-crystal structures, and they can additionally serve as stimuli-responsive sites in sensor devices and smart materials.In this Account, we introduce the synthesis, structural characteristics, and applications of porous crystalline materials based on the famous redox-active units, tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and its analogues, by primarily focusing on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). TTF, a sulfur-rich conjugated molecule with two reversible and easily accessible oxidation states (i.e., radical TTF•+ cation and TTF2+ dication), and its analogues boast special electrical characteristics that enable them to display switchable redox activity and stimuli-responsive properties. These inherent properties contribute to the enhancement of the optical, electrical, and magnetic characteristics of the resultant porous crystalline materials. Moreover, delving into the charge transfer phenomena, which is key for the electrochemical process within these materials, uncovers a myriad of potential functional applications. The Account is organized into five main sections that correspond to the different properties and applications of these materials: optical, electrical, and magnetic functionalities; energy storage and conversion; and catalysis. Each section provides detailed discussions of synthetic methods, structural characteristics, the physical and chemical properties, and the functional performances of highlighted examples. The Account also discusses future directions by emphasizing the exploration of novel organic units, the transformation between radical cation TTF•+ and dication TTF2+, and the integration of multifunctionalities within these frameworks to foster the development of smart materials for enhanced performance across diverse applications. Through this Account, we aim to highlight the massive potential of TTF and its analogues-based porous crystals in chemistry and material science.

Radical-Induced Photochromic Silver(I) Metal-Organic Frameworks: Alternative Topology, Dynamic Photoluminescence and Efficient Photothermal Conversion Modulated by Anionic Guests

Photogenerated radicals are an indispensable member of the state-of-the-art photochromic material family, as they can effectively modulate the photoluminescence and photothermal conversion performance of radical-induced photochromic complexes. Herein, two novel radical-induced photochromic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), [Ag(TEPE)](AC) ⋅ 7/4H2O ⋅ 5/4EtOH (1) and [Ag(TEPE)](NC) ⋅ 3H2O ⋅ EtOH (2), are reported. Distinctly different topological networks can be obtained by judiciously introducing alternative π-conjugated anionic guests, including a new topological structure (named as sfm) first reported in this work, describing as 4,4,4,4-c net. EPR data and UV-Vis spectra prove the radical-induced photochromic mechanism. Dynamic photochromism exhibits tunability in a wide CIE color space, with a linear segment from yellow to red for 1, while a curved coordinate line for 2, resulting in colorful emission from blue to orange. Moreover, photogenerated TEPE* radicals effectively activate the near-infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion effect of MOFs. Under 1 W cm-2 808 nm laser irradiation, the surface temperatures of photoproducts 1* and 2* can reach ~160 °C and ~120 °C, respectively, with competitive NIR photothermal conversion efficiencies η=51.8 % (1*) and 36.2 % (2*). This work develops a feasible electrostatic compensation strategy to accurately introduce photoactive anionic guests into MOFs to construct multifunctional radical-induced photothermal conversion materials with tunable photoluminescence behavior.

Photothermal Conversion Perylene-Based Metal-Organic Framework with Panchromatic Absorption Bandwidth across the Visible to Near-Infrared

Recently, facilely designable metal-organic frameworks have gained attention in the construction of photothermal conversion materials. Nonetheless, most of the previously reported photothermal conversion metal-organic frameworks exhibit limited light absorption capabilities. In this work, a distinctive metal-organic framework with heterogeneous periodic alternate spatial arrangements of metal-oxygen clusters and perylene-based derivative molecules was prepared by in situ synthesis. The building blocks in this inimitable structure behave as both electron donors and electron acceptors, giving rise to the significant inherent charge transfer in this crystalline material, resulting in a narrow band gap with excellent panchromatic absorption, with the ground state being the charge transfer state. Moreover, it can retain excellent air-, photo-, and water-stability in the solid state. The excellent stability and broad light absorption characteristics enable the effective realization of near-infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion, including infrequent NIR-II photothermal conversion, in this perylene-based metal-organic framework.

Electron density effect of aromatic carboxylic acids in naphthalenediimide-based coordination polymers: from thermal electron transfer and charge transfer to photoinduced electron transfer

Various naphthalenediimide (NDI) based electron donor-acceptor coordination polymers (D-A CPs) have been constructed and used to explore charge transfer (CT) and electron transfer (ET) behaviors. Up to now, significant progress has been made in the interface contact and electron donor-acceptor ability matching mechanism, while the electronic density effect of the electron donors on the CT and ET behaviors is still not known. Herein, two NDI-based D-A CPs, [Cd2(H2NDI)(IPA)2(H2O)2] (1) and [Cd2(H2NDI)(IPA-OH)2(H2O)2] (2), are constructed using an NDI-based ligand and two aromatic carboxylic acid ligands (H2NDI = 2,7-bis(3,5-dimethyl) dipyrazol-1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxydiimide, H2IPA = isophthalic acid; and H2IPA-OH = 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid). UV-vis and EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations analyses reveal that the occurrence of themal electron transfer (TET) in 1 and 2 results from the HOMO of the IPA and IPA-OH lying higher than the LUMO of the NDI. Meanwhile, compared to 1, the UV-vis absorption spectrum of 2 exhibits a significant red shift, which suggests higher electron density of the donor and more electron transfer pathways are beneficial for the occurrence of intermolecular CT. After UV light irradiation, the comparison of the photochromic behavior of 1 and 2 confirms the negative effect of the stronger CT on photoinduced electron transfer (PET). The present study illustrates the delicate modulating effect of electron density on the CT and ET behaviors in D-A CPs.

A 3D tetrathiafulvalene-based metal-organic framework with intramolecular charge transfer for efficient near-infrared photothermal conversion

The selection of metal centers can endow donor-metal-accepter (D-M-A) type MOFs with progressive framework dimensions. 3D Cd-based MOFs with intramolecular charge transfer caused by D-M-A exhibit a satisfactory photothermal conversion efficiency of 35.7%, with the temperature rapidly rising from 25 °C to 201 °C in 7 s under 808 nm laser irradiation.

An Iron-NDC Framework with a Cage Structure and an Optothermal Conversion in NIR Window

Pursuing novel materials with efficient photothermal conversion under irradiation at the near-infrared region windows (NIR, 750-850 nm; NIR-I and NIR-II, 1000-1320 nm)) is of great importance due to their irreplaceable applications, especially in the biomedical field. Herein, on the basis of a coordination chemistry strategy, an iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF) of [N(CH₃)₄]₂[Fe₃(NDC)₄]·DMF·3H₂O (Fe-NDC, 1,4-H₂NDC = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, N(CH₃)₄⁺ = tetramethyl-ammonium, and DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) was prepared and characterized. Due to the d-d transition effect introduced by coordination with the transition-metal ion of iron and the highly conjugated naphthalenic moiety in 1,4-H₂NDC, guaranteeing an energy transfer between iron and the organic module, Fe-NDC shows a remarkable broad absorption, which could be extended into the NIR-II section. As a result, Fe-NDC could be irradiated by NIR laser (both 808 and 1064 nm) to achieve photothermal conversion. This work sets a good example to inspire the future designation of NIR light-irradiated photothermal materials based on the first-row transition metals.

Presynthetic Redox Gated Metal-to-Insulator Transition and Photothermoelectric Properties in Nickel Tetrathiafulvalene-Tetrathiolate Coordination Polymers

Photothermoelectric (PTE) materials are promising candidates for solar energy harvesting and photodetection applications, especially for near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Although the processability and tunability of organic materials are highly advantageous, examples of organic PTE materials are comparatively rare and their PTE performance is typically limited by poor photothermal (PT) conversion. Here, we report the use of redox-active Sn complexes of tetrathiafulvalene-tetrathiolate (TTFtt) as transmetalating agents for the synthesis of presynthetically redox tuned NiTTFtt materials. Unlike the neutral material NiTTFtt, which exhibits n-type glassy-metallic conductivity, the reduced materials Li_1.2Ni_0.4[NiTTFtt] and [Li(THF)_1.5]_1.2Ni_0.4[NiTTFtt] (THF = tetrahydrofuran) display physical characteristics more consistent with p-type semiconductors. The broad spectral absorption and electrically conducting nature of these TTFtt-based materials enable highly efficient NIR-thermal conversion and good PTE performance. Furthermore, in contrast to conventional PTE composites, these NiTTFtt coordination polymers are notable as single-component PTE materials. The presynthetically tuned metal-to-insulator transition in these NiTTFtt systems directly modulates their PT and PTE properties.

Stable Nickel-Based Metal–Organic Framework Containing Thiophene/Diimidazole Units for Effective Near-Infrared Photothermal Conversion

Herein, a new Ni-based metal–organic framework (MOF, 1) bearing highly structural stability is synthesized by the reaction of utilizing a rigid and functionalized linker, 2,6-bis(pyridin-4-yl)-1,7-dihydrobenzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]diimidazole (BBI4PY), in combination with Ni(NO3)2·6H2O and dibenzo[b,d]thiophene-3,7-dicarboxylic acid 5,5-dioxide (L1) under solvothermal conditions. The crystal structure of complex 1 is determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and is demonstrated to be a two-dimensional layered structure. In addition, PXRD, IR, TGA and UV/Vis-NIR spectra are also tested carefully to explore the solid structure of this complex. Remarkably, although no significant accumulation effect could be observed between the two-dimensional layers, a stacking interaction between DMF solvent molecules and ligand L1 could be found, which might promote non-radiative transitions and trigger obvious near-infrared photothermal conversion. Under 660 nm laser (0.6 W cm−2) illumination, the temperature of complex 1 increased rapidly from room temperature to 45.2 °C, with good thermal stability and cycle durability. Its photothermal conversion efficiency could reach 10.75%. This work provides an efficient way for assessing the promise of materials in the field of photothermal therapy.