Nanoscale Metal−Organic Frameworks and Their Nanomedicine Applications

Abundant connectivity among organic ligands and inorganic metal ions makes the physical and chemical characters of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) could be precisely devised and modulated for specific applications. Especially nanoscale MOFs (NMOFs), a unique family of hybrid nanomaterials, with merits of holding the nature as the mainstay MOFs and demonstrating particle size in nanoscale range which enable them prospect platform in clinic. Adjustability of composition and structure allows NMOFs with different constituents, shapes, and characteristics. Oriented frameworks and highly porous provide enough space for packing therapeutic cargoes and various imaging agents efficiently. Moreover, the relatively labile metal-ligand bonds make NMOFs biodegradable in nature. So far, as a significant class of biomedically relevant nanomaterials, NMOFs have been explored as drug carriers, therapeutic preparation, and biosensing and imaging preparation owing to their high porosity, multifunctionality, and biocompatibility. This review provides up-to-date developments of NMOFs in biomedical applications with emphasis on size control, synthetic approaches, and surfaces functionalization as well as stability, degradation, and toxicity. The outlooks and several crucial issues of this area are also discussed, with the expectation that it may help arouse widespread attention on exploring NMOFs in potential clinical applications.

Novel Lanthanide (III) Complexes Derived from an Imidazole-Biphenyl-Carboxylate Ligand: Synthesis, Structure and Luminescence Properties

A series of neutral mononuclear lanthanide complexes [Ln(HL)₂(NO₃)₃] (Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho) with rigid bidentate ligand, HL (4'-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid) were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. The coordination compounds have been characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, powder X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. According to X-ray diffraction, all the complexes are a series of isostructural compounds crystallized in the P2/n monoclinic space group. Additionally, solid-state luminescence measurements of all complexes show that [Eu(HL)₂(NO₃)₃] complex displays the characteristic emission peaks of Eu(III) ion at 593, 597, 615, and 651 nm.

State-of-the-art progress of switch fluorescence biosensors based on metal-organic frameworks and nucleic acids

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have captured substantial attention of an increasing number of scientists working in sensing analysis fields, due to their large surface area, high porosity, and tunable structure. Recently, MOFs as attractive fluorescence quenchers have been extensively investigated. Given their high quenching efficiency toward the fluorescence intensity of dyes-labeled specific biological recognition molecules, such as nucleic acids, MOFs have been widely developed to switch fluorescence biosensors with low background fluorescence signal. These strategies not only lead to specificity, simplicity, and low cost of biosensors, but also possess advantages such as ultrasensitive, rapid, and multiple detection of switch fluorescence methods. At present, researches of the analysis of switch fluorescence biosensors based on MOFs and nucleic acids mainly focus on sensing of different types of in vitro and intracellular analytes, indicating their increasing potential. In this review, we briefly introduce the principle of switch fluorescence biosensor and the mechanism of fluorescence quenching of MOFs, and mainly discuss and summarize the state-of-the-art advances of MOFs and nucleic acids-based switch fluorescence biosensors over the years 2013 to 2020. Most of them have been proposed to the in vitro detection of different types of analytes, showing their wide scope and applicability, such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNAs), ribonucleic acid (RNAs), proteins, enzymes, antibiotics, and heavy metal ions. Besides, some of them have also been applied to the bioimaging of intracellular analytes, emerging their potential for biomedical applications, for example, cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and subcellular glutathione (GSH). Finally, the remaining challenges in this sensing field and prospects for future research trends are addressed. Graphical abstract.

Synthesis of new chromogenic sensors containing thiourea and selective detection for F–, H2PO4–, and Ac– anions

Two new chromogenic sensors 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)thiourea 1 and 1-(3-hydroxypyridin-2-yl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)thiourea 2 bearing nitrophenyl and thiourea groups were designed and synthesized by one-step procedure and characterized through 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, and MS. The anion recognition property of the receptors was studied via naked-eye detection, UV–vis, and 1H NMR. Based on the existence of amino gen and hydroxyl moieties in receptors, receptors 1 and 2 exhibit obvious selectivity by the redshift of UV–vis signals, colour changes through naked-eye detection, and binding effects for F–, H2PO4–, and Ac–. Surprisingly, the detection limits of receptor 1 for F– and Ac– were calculated to be 5.45 × 10−7 and 2.11 × 10−7 (mol/L)−1, respectively, which indicated that F– and Ac– can be identified with high sensitivity by receptor 1. Besides, simple “test strips” were developed and were used as sensors for recognition of F–, H2PO4–, or Ac– in DMSO solution. Lastly, the mechanisms of the recognition process were studied through DFT calculation and 1H NMR titration.

Dual-emission CdTe quantum dot@ZIF-365 ratiometric fluorescent sensor and application for highly sensitive detection of l-histidine and Cu2

l-histidine acts as a semi-essential amino acid, which is medically used in the treatment of gastric ulcer, anemia, allergies. However, the overuse of l-histidine will result in terrible damage to heart disease, slow growth of animals and water pollution in the environment. In addition, Cu²⁺ pollution is common environmental pollution in the industry. It has the characteristics of high accumulation, migration, and persistence. Given this, through the post-synthesis strategy, CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were the first time to introduce into zeolitic imidazolate framework-ZIF-365 to synthesis dual-emission hybrid material CdTe@ZIF-365 with high quantum yield. TEM mappings and N₂ absorption tests are applied to confirm the combination mode between CdTe quantum dots and ZIF-365. It should be noted that CdTe@ZIF-365 can be successfully utilized as a bi-functional ratiometric sensor for highly sensitive discrimination of l-histidine and Cu²⁺. Firstly, CdTe@ZIF-365 is applied to a fluorescent ratiometric sensor for Cu²⁺ with high sensitivity (the K_sv value is 2.7417✕10⁷ [M^-1]) and selectivity in the mixed cation ions' solution. On the other hand, CdTe@ZIF-365 also behaved as the first example for an excellent ratiometric fluorescent senor for l-histidine with high sensitivity (the K_sv value is 6.0507✕10⁸ [M^-1]) and selectivity in the mixed amino acids' solutions.

Traditional hydrogen bonding donors controlled colorimetric selective anion sensing in tripodal receptors: First-naked-eye detection of cyanide by a tripodal receptor via fluoride displacement assay

Here in we report tris (3-aminopropyl) amine based tripodal receptors L, L¹ and L² which were functionalized with 4-nitrophenyl moieties having thio-urea, amide and sulfonamide as hydrogen bonding moieties respectively, shows a strong selectivity towards cyanide. A competitive colorimetric assay with L in the presence of fluoride ion suggests that the cyanide ion is much capable of displacing the bound fluoride, showing a sharp distinguishable color change. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a naked-eye detection of cyanide via fluoride displacement assay by a tripodal receptor and such a displacement phenomenon is not observes in the cases of L¹ and L², instead the receptor L¹ binds nitrate and cyanide; L² binds dihydrogen phosphate and cyanide. Using this assay, we have proposed an AND logic gate using L·F^- and CN^-.

Luminescent switch sensors for the detection of biomolecules based on metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as sensing materials have experienced explosive growth in recent years due to their intrinsic merits, such as structural diversity, high porosity, large surface area, extraordinary adsorption affinities, etc. Biomolecules such as DNA, protein, and vitamins play vital roles in metabolism. Moreover, the sensitive detection of biomolecules is of importance in the disease prevention and treatment. This review intends to provide an update on the recent progress in the detection of various biomolecules via MOF-based luminescent sensors. MOFs are successful in the detection of DNA, RNA, protein, and other biomolecules. MOF-based luminescent sensors function by utilizing different mechanisms, including luminescent responses of enhancement and quenching, which are defined as "turn-on" and "turn-off" responses, respectively. Then, a short comparison of the "turn-on" and "turn-off" types of sensors is also made.

Selective detection and removal of mercury ions by dual-functionalized metal–organic frameworks: design-for-purpose

In this study, through introducing a new functional group into the structure, the performance and efficiency of MOFs as a sensor for heavy metal cations have been improved.

Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Development of Biosensors: A Current Overview

This review focuses on the fabrication of biosensors using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as recognition and/or transducer elements. A brief introduction discussing the importance of the development of new biosensor schemes is presented, describing these coordination polymers, their properties, applications, and the main advantages and drawbacks for the final goal. The increasing number of publications regarding the characteristics of these materials and the new micro- and nanofabrication techniques allowing the preparation of more accurate, robust, and sensitive biosensors are also discussed. This work aims to offer a new perspective from the point of view of materials science compared to other reviews focusing on the transduction mechanism or the nature of the analyte. A few examples are discussed depending on the starting materials, the integration of the MOF as a part of the biosensor and, in a deep detail, the fabrication procedure.

Luminescent Lanthanide MOFs: A Unique Platform for Chemical Sensing

In recent years, lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (LnMOFs) have developed to be an interesting subclass of MOFs. The combination of the characteristic luminescent properties of Ln ions with the intriguing topological structures of MOFs opens up promising possibilities for the design of LnMOF-based chemical sensors. In this review, we present the most recent developments of LnMOFs as chemical sensors by briefly introducing the general luminescence features of LnMOFs, followed by a comprehensive investigation of the applications of LnMOF sensors for cations, anions, small molecules, nitroaromatic explosives, gases, vapors, pH, and temperature, as well as biomolecules.

A multi-responsive luminescent sensor based on a super-stable sandwich-type terbium(iii)-organic framework

A super-stable multifunctional terbium(iii)-organic framework, namely {[Tb(TATAB) (H₂O)₂]·NMP·H₂O}_n (Tb-MOF, H₃TATAB = 4,4',4''-s-triazine-1,3,5-triyltri-m-aminobenzoic acid, NMP = N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) was synthesized. Tb-MOF exhibits a 2D sql structure with binuclear [Tb₂(COO)₄(H₂O)₄]²⁺ units as 4-connected nodes, and free water and NMP molecules are inserted between 2D layers through hydrogen-bonding interactions, forming a sandwich-type architecture. Observably, such a framework remains intact in a remarkable variety of environments such as common solvents and aqueous solutions with metal cations and inorganic anions, as well as with a pH ranging from 1 to 13. In particular, Tb-MOF can not only detect small organic molecules, metal cations and inorganic anions with high sensitivity and high selectivity, but also can accurately detect explosive 2-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol in water. Its luminescence quenching response to Fe³⁺ and Cr₂O₇^2- ions can be explained in terms of the competitive absorption mechanism. In addition, the luminescence intensity of Tb-MOF is strongly correlated with the pH value in a pH range from 1 to 13. Thus, this material can be potentially used as a multi-responsive luminescent sensor.

Anion directing self-assembly of 2D and 3D water-stable silver(i) cation metal organic frameworks and their applications in real-time discriminating cysteine and DNA detection

Two water-stable silver(i) cation metal organic frameworks (MOFs), namely 2D MOF {[Ag(L)₂]BF₄}_n (1) and 3D MOF {[Ag₃(L)₃]·(H₂O)·(CF₃SO₃)₃}_n (2) (L = 1-(4-aminobenzyl)-1,2,4-triazole), have been prepared.

Luminescent Functionalised Supramolecular Coordination Polymers Based on an Aromatic Carboxylic Acid Ligand for Sensing Hg2+ Ions

Two luminescent functionalised supramolecular coordination polymers, namely, [Zn(TPDC-2CH3)(H2O)2]·H2O (1) and [Cd(TPDC-2CH3)(H2O)4]·H2O (2), were successfully synthesised by the reaction of 2′,5′-dimethyl-[1,1′:4′,1″-terphenyl]-4,4″-dicarboxylic acid (H2TPDC-2CH3) with Zn2+ and Cd2+ ions, respectively. X-Ray crystallographic analysis reveals that both compounds 1 and 2 exhibit fascinating 3D supramolecular networks, in which metal ions are linked by ligands to form a 1D chain which further extends to a 3D structure through the interaction of hydrogen bonding. The use of 1 and 2 as luminescent sensors for the optical detection of metal ions: Na+, K+, Hg2+, Ag+, Ca2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Fe3+, Fe2+, In3+, Bi3+, and Cr3+ was carried out in aqueous solution, and the results indicated that compound 1 could effectively detect Hg2+ ions among various cations at room temperature, with a detection limit of 3.6 × 10−15 M.

Metal–organic frameworks: functional luminescent and photonic materials for sensing applications

This review summarizes the diverse routes to derive sensing applications from suitably functionalized and crystal-engineered metal–organic framework (MOF) materials, either by fluorometric responses, or based on photonic crystal-based signal transduction.