Unprecedented Second‐Timescale Blue/Green Emissions and Iodine‐Uptake‐Induced Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Transformation in ZnII/CdII Metal–Organic Frameworks

The long‐persistent phosphorescent metal–organic framework (MOF) is a kind of highly desirable but rare material. Here, two new molecular MOF materials, {[Zn(tipa)Cl] ? NO₃ ? 2 DMF}_n ( 1 ) and {[Cd₂(tipa)₂Cl₄] ? 6 DMF}_n ( 2 ) (tipa=tri(4‐imidazolylphenyl)amine), which have 3D twofold interpenetrated ( utp ) and 2D noninterpenetrated ( kgd ) topologies, respectively, are reported. They exhibit unexpected long‐persistent emissions yet reported: At 77 K, they persist in glowing after stopping the UV irradiation on a timescale up to seconds at 77 K, which can be detected by the naked eye (ca. 2 s). Compounds 1 and 2 also undergo single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SC‐SC) transformations through different routes; a simple anion‐exchange route for 1 and a complicated replacement of μ₁‐Cl^? ions by DMF molecules accompanying I₃^? captured in the void for 2 .     

A 2D Metal‐Organic Framework Based on 9‐(Pyridin‐4‐yl)‐9H‐carbazole‐3,6‐dicarboxylic Acid: Synthesis,Structure and Properties

A metal‐organic framework (MOF ) formulated as [Cd₂(μ₃‐L)₂(DMF )₄]•H₂O ( CdL ) [H₂L =9‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐ 9H ‐carbazole‐3,6‐dicarboxylic acid, DMF =N ,N ‐dimethylformamide] was synthesized under solvothermal condition. Crystal structural analysis reveals that CdL features the layered 2D framework with L^{2 −} ligands as 3‐connected nodes. The compound CdL emits blue‐violet light with the narrow emission peak and the emission maximum at 414 nm upon excitation at the maximum excitation wavelength of 340 nm. The compound CdL has a similar emission spectrum curve to the free H₂L ligand that indicates the emission of compound CdL should be originated from the coordinated L^{2 −} ligands.     

Structural analysis of interpenetrated methyl‐modified MOF‐5 and its gas‐adsorption properties

The first example of an interpenetrated methyl‐modified MOF‐5 with the formula Zn₄O(DMBDC)₃(DMF)₂, where DMBDC^2? is 2,5‐dimethylbenzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate and DMF is N,N‐dimethylformamide (henceforth denoted as Me₂MOF‐5‐int ), namely, poly[tris(μ₄‐2,5‐dimethylbenzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)bis(N,N‐dimethylformamide)‐μ₄‐oxido‐tetrazinc(II)], [Zn₄(C₁₀H₈O₄)₃O(C₃H₇NO)₂]_n, has been obtained from a solvothermal synthesis of 2,5‐dimethylbenzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid and Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O in DMF. A systematic study revealed that the choice of solvent is of critical importance for the synthesis of phase‐pure Me₂MOF‐5‐int , which was thoroughly characterized by single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), as well as by gas‐adsorption analyses. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of Me₂MOF‐5‐int (660 m² g^?1), determined by N₂ adsorption, is much lower than that of nonpenetrated Me₂MOF‐5 (2420 m² g^?1). However, Me₂MOF‐5‐int displays an H₂ uptake capacity of 1.26 wt% at 77 K and 1.0 bar, which is comparable to that of non‐interpenetrated Me₂MOF‐5 (1.51 wt%).     

Structural Diversity in Luminescent MOFs Containing a Bent Electron‐rich Dicarboxylate Linker and a Flexible Capping Ligand: Selective Detection of 4‐Nitroaniline in Water

A combination of a bent bis(naphthalene) and hydroxy‐based dicarboxylate linker and a flexible bis(tridentate)polypyridyl ligand has been employed to self‐assemble with two different d¹⁰ metal centers, Zn^II and Cd^II, to form structurally diversified luminescent metal–organic frameworks, [Zn₂(tpbn)(mbhna)₂(H₂O)₂]?4 H₂O?1.5DMF ( 1 ) and {[Cd₂(tpbn)(mbhna)₂]?2DMF}_n ( 2 ), respectively (where, tpbn=N,N′,N′′,N′′′‐tetrakis(pyridine‐2‐ylmethyl)butane‐1,4‐diamine and H₂mbhna=4,4′‐methylene‐bis[3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthalene carboxylic acid]). Both 1 and 2 are characterized and analyzed by various analytical techniques including single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. Their excellent emissive nature is studied in different solvents and further utilized to selectively detect aromatic amines, particularly 4‐nitroaniline in water with detection limits at sub‐ppm level. The difference in sensing activity of 1 and 2 toward 4‐NA is corroborated well with their structures. The mechanism of action has been established through Stern–Volmer plot, spectral overlap, time‐resolved lifetime studies and HOMO–LUMO energy calculations. In addition, 1 and 2 are found to be recyclable and display good stability after sensing experiments.     

Post‐Synthetic Reversible Incorporation of Organic Linkers into Porous Metal–Organic Frameworks through Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Transformations and Modification of Gas‐Sorption Properties

The porous metal–organic framework (MOF) {[Zn₂(TCPBDA)(H₂O)₂]?30 DMF?6 H₂O}_n ( SNU‐30 ; DMF=N,N‐dimethylformamide) has been prepared by the solvothermal reaction of N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl)biphenyl‐4,4′‐diamine (H₄TCPBDA) and Zn(NO₃)₂?6 H₂O in DMF/tBuOH. The post‐synthetic modification of SNU‐30 by the insertion of 3,6‐di(4‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine (bpta) affords single‐crystalline {[Zn₂(TCPBDA)(bpta)]?23 DMF?4 H₂O}_n ( SNU‐31 SC ), in which channels are divided by the bpta linkers. Interestingly, unlike its pristine form, the bridging bpta ligand in the MOF is bent due to steric constraints. SNU‐31 can be also prepared through a one‐pot solvothermal synthesis from Zn^II, TCPBDA^4?, and bpta. The bpta linker can be liberated from this MOF by immersion in N,N‐diethylformamide (DEF) to afford the single‐crystalline SNU‐30 SC , which is structurally similar to SNU‐30 . This phenomenon of reversible insertion and removal of the bridging ligand while preserving the single crystallinity is unprecedented in MOFs. Desolvated solid SNU‐30′ adsorbs N₂, O₂, H₂, CO₂, and CH₄ gases, whereas desolvated SNU‐31′ exhibits selective adsorption of CO₂ over N₂, O₂, H₂, and CH₄, thus demonstrating that the gas adsorption properties of MOF can be modified by post‐synthetic insertion/removal of a bridging ligand.     

Topological identification of the first uninodal 8‐connected lsz MOF built from 2,2′‐difluorobiphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate pillars and cadmium(II)–triazolate layers

Using polynuclear metal clusters as nodes, many high‐symmetry high‐connectivity nets, like 8‐connnected bcu and 12‐connected fcu , have been attained in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). However, construction of low‐symmetry high‐connected MOFs with a novel topology still remains a big challenge. For example, a uninodal 8‐connected lsz network, observed in inorganic ZrSiO₄, has not been topologically identified in MOFs. Using 2,2′‐difluorobiphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂L) as a new linker and 1,2,4‐triazole (Htrz) as a coligand, a novel three‐dimensional Cd^II–MOF, namely poly[tetrakis(μ₄‐2,2′‐difluorobiphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁵O¹,O^1′:O^1′:O⁴:O^4′)tetrakis(N,N‐dimethylformamide‐κO)tetrakis(μ₃‐1,2,4‐triazolato‐κ³N¹:N²:N⁴)hexacadmium(II)], [Cd₆(C₁₄H₆F₂O₄)₄(C₂H₂N₃)₄(C₃H₇NO)₄]_n, (I), has been prepared. Single‐crystal structure analysis indicates that six different Cd^II ions co‐exist in (I) and each Cd^II ion displays a distorted [CdO₄N₂] octahedral geometry with four equatorial O atoms and two axial N atoms. Three Cd^II ions are connected by four carboxylate groups and four trz⁻ ligands to form a linear trinuclear [Cd₃(COO)₄(trz)₄] cluster, as do the other three Cd^II ions. Two Cd₃ clusters are linked by trz⁻ ligands in a μ_1,2,4‐bridging mode to produce a two‐dimensional Cd^II–triazolate layer with (6,3) topology in the ab plane. These two‐dimensional layers are further pillared by the L²⁻ ligands along the c axis to generate a complicated three‐dimensional framework. Topologically, regarding the Cd₃ cluster as an 8‐connected node, the whole architecture of (I) is a uninodal 8‐connected lsz framework with the Schläfli symbol (4²²·6⁶). Complex (I) was further characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and a photoluminescence study. MOF (I) has a high thermal and water stability.     

Three Cadmium(II) Coordination Polymers based on Mixed 1,2‐Naphthalenedicarboxylate and Bis(pyridyl) Co‐ligands: Structural Diversities and Photoluminescent Properties

Hydrothermal reactions of Cd(OAc)₂ · 2H₂O with 1,2‐naphthalic anhydride in the absence/presence of different rigid/flexible bis(pyridyl) co‐ligands, produce three distinct coordination polymers, namely [Cd(ndc)]_n ( 1 ), {[Cd₅(ndc)₄(bpp)₂(OH)₂](H₂O)₄}_n ( 2 ), and [Cd₅(ndc)₄(bpy)₂(OH)₂]_n ( 3 ) [ndc = 1,2‐naphthalenedicarboxylate, bpp = 1,3‐bis(4‐pyridyl)propane, and bpy = 4,4′‐bipyridine]. Complex 1 contains dinuclear [Cd₂O₂] clusters as secondary building units (SBUs) and shows a two‐dimensional (2D) kgd network. Complexes 2 and 3 possess one‐dimensional (1D) chains based on pentanuclear [Cd₅(μ₃‐OH)₂(COO)₂] units as SBUs, which are further extended to afford 2D sql sheet via flexible bpp in 2 and three‐dimensional (3D) pcu network via rigid bpy in 3 , respectively. The structural diversities indicate that the bis(pyridyl) co‐ligands with different flexibility play a key role on the formation of the final supramolecular structures. The complexes were characterized by X‐ray crystallographic, IR, elemental, thermal stability, and powder X‐ray diffraction analyses. In addition, the photoluminescent properties in solid state were also investigated.     

A Robust Porous Metal–Organic Framework with a New Topology That Demonstrates Pronounced Porosity and High‐Efficiency Sorption/Selectivity Properties of Small Molecules

A robust porous metal–organic framework (MOF), [Co₃(ndc)(HCOO)₃(μ₃‐OH)(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ) (H₂ndc=5‐(4‐pyridyl)‐isophthalic acid), was synthesized with pronounced porosity. MOF 1 contained two different types of nanotubular channels, which exhibited a new topology with the Schlafli symbol of {4².6⁵.8³}{4².6}. MOF 1 showed high‐efficiency for the selective sorption of small molecules, including the energy‐correlated gases of H₂, CH₄, and CO₂, and environment‐correlated steams of alcohols, acetone, and pyridine. Gas‐sorption experiments indicated that MOF 1 exhibited not only a high CO₂‐uptake (25.1 wt % at 273 K/1 bar) but also the impressive selective sorption of CO₂ over N₂ and CH₄. High H₂‐uptake (2.04 wt % at 77 K/1 bar) was also observed. Moreover, systematic studies on the sorption of steams of organic molecules displayed excellent capacity for the sorption of the homologous series of alcohols (C₁–C₅), acetone, pyridine, as well as water.     

Modular,Homochiral, Porous Coordination Polymers: Rational Design,Enantioselective Guest Exchange Sorption and Ab Initio Calculations of Host–Guest Interactions

Two new, homochiral, porous metal–organic coordination polymers [Zn₂(ndc){(R)‐man}(dmf)]?3DMF and [Zn₂(bpdc){(R)‐man}(dmf)]?2DMF (ndc=2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylate; bpdc=4,4′‐biphenyldicarboxylate; man=mandelate; dmf=N,N′‐dimethylformamide) have been synthesized by heating Zn^II nitrate, H₂ndc or H₂bpdc and chiral (R)‐mandelic acid (H₂man) in DMF. The colorless crystals were obtained and their structures were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. These isoreticular structures share the same topological features as the previously reported zinc(II) terephthalate lactate [Zn₂(bdc){(S)‐lac}(dmf)]?DMF framework, but have larger pores and opposite absolute configuration of the chiral centers. The enhanced pores size results in differing stereoselective sorption properties: the new metal–organic frameworks effectively and stereoselectively (ee up to 62 %) accommodate bulkier guest molecules (alkyl aryl sulfoxides) than the parent [Zn₂(bdc){(S)‐lac}(dmf)]?DMF, while the latter demonstrates decent enantioselectivity toward precursor of chiral anticancer drug sulforaphane, CH₃SO(CH₂)₄OH. The new homochiral porous metal–organic coordination polymers are capable of catalyzing a highly selective oxidation of bulkier sulfides (2‐NaphSMe (2‐C₁₀H₇SMe) and PhSCH₂Ph) that could not be achieved by the smaller‐pore [Zn₂(bdc){(S)‐lac}(dmf)]?DMF. The sorption of different guest molecules (both R and S isomers) into the chiral pores of [Zn₂(bdc){(S)‐lac}(dmf)]?DMF was modeled by using ab initio calculations that provided a qualitative explanation for the observed sorption enantioselectivity. The high stereo‐preference is accounted for by the presence of coordinated inner‐pore DMF molecule that forms a weak C? H???O bond between the DMF methyl group and the (S)‐PhSOCH₃ sulfinyl group.     

Selective Sensing of Fe3+ and Al3+ Ions and Detection of 2,4,6‐Trinitrophenol by a Water‐Stable Terbium‐Based Metal–Organic Framework

A water‐stable luminescent terbium‐based metal–organic framework (MOF), {[Tb(L₁)_1.5(H₂O)] ? 3 H₂O}_n (Tb‐MOF), with rod‐shaped secondary building units (SBUs) and honeycomb‐type tubular channels has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The high green emission intensity and the microporous nature of the Tb‐MOF indicate that it can potentially be used as a luminescent sensor. In this work, we show that Tb‐MOF can selectively sense Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ ions from mixed metal ions in water through different detection mechanisms. In addition, it also exhibits high sensitivity for 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol (TNP) in the presence of other nitro aromatic compounds in aqueous solution by luminescence quenching experiments.     

Two Heterometallic–Organic Frameworks Composed of Iron(III)‐Salen‐Based Ligands and d10 Metals: Gas Sorption and Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Degradation of 2‐Chlorophenol

Two examples of heterometallic–organic frameworks (HMOFs) composed of dicarboxyl‐functionalized Fe^III‐salen complexes and d¹⁰ metals (Zn, Cd), [Zn₂(Fe‐L)₂(μ₂‐O)(H₂O)₂] ? 4 DMF ? 4 H₂O ( 1 ) and [Cd₂(Fe‐L)₂(μ₂‐O)(H₂O)₂] ? 2 DMF ? H₂O ( 2 ) (H₄L=1,2‐cyclohexanediamino‐N,N′‐bis(3‐methyl‐5‐carboxysalicylidene), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. In 1 and 2 , each square‐pyramidal Fe^III atom is embedded in the [N₂O₂] pocket of an L^4? anion, and these units are further bridged by a μ₂‐O anion to give an (Fe‐L)₂(μ₂‐O) dimer. The two carboxylate groups of each L^4? anion bridge Zn^II or Cd^II atoms to afford a 3D porous HMOF. The gas sorption and magnetic properties of 1 and 2 have been studied. Remarkably, 1 and 2 show activity for the photocatalytic degradation of 2‐chlorophenol (2‐CP) under visible‐light irradiation, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first time that this has been observed for Fe^III‐salen‐based HMOFs.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Two Cadmium Methanetetrabenzoates Featured by Open Framework and Infinite Layers

Colorless single crystals of Cd₂[μ₈‐MTB] · 3H₂O · DMF ( 1 ) were prepared in DMF/H₂O solution [ 1 : space group C2/c (no. 15) with a = 1821.30(6), b = 2175.08(6), c = 1269.87(4) pm, β = 129.684(1)°]. The connection between the methane‐p‐benzoate tetraanions (MTB^4–) and the Cd²⁺ cations leads to a three‐dimensional framework with channels extending along [1 10] and [110] with openings of 670 pm × 360 pm. The channel‐like voids accommodate water molecules and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) molecules not bound to Cd²⁺. Colorless single crystals of [Cd₄(2,2′‐bipy)₄(μ₇‐MTB)₂] · 7DMF ( 2 ) were prepared in DMF in the presence of 2,2′‐bipyridine [ 2 : space group P1 (no. 2) with a = 1224.84(4), b = 1418.85(5), c = 2033.49(4) pm, α = 85.831(2)°, β = 88.351(2)°, γ = 68.261(1)°]. The coordination of MTB^4– to Cd²⁺ results in infinite layers parallel to (001). The layers, not connected by any hydrogen bonds, contain small openings of about 320 pm × 340 pm.     

Three Novel Mixed‐ligand Cadmium(II) Sulfonates with Aza‐aromatic Skeltons as Co‐ligands

To survey the influence of aza‐aromatic co‐ligands on the structure of Cadmium(II) sulfonates, three Cd(II) complexes with mixed‐ligand, [Cd^II(ANS)₂(phen)₂] ( 1 ), [Cd^II(ANS)₂(2,2′‐bipy)₂] ( 2 ) and [Cd^II(ANS)₂(4,4′‐bipy)₂]_n ( 3 ) (ANS = 2‐aminonaphthalene‐1‐sulfonate; phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline; 2,2′‐bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 4,4′‐bipy = 4,4′‐bipyridine) were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Of the three complexes, ANS consistently coordinates to Cd²⁺ ion as a monodentate ligand. While phen in 1 and 2,2′‐bipy in 2 act as N,N‐bidentate chelating ligands, leading to the formation of a discrete mononuclear unit; 4,4′‐bipy in 3 bridges two Cd^II atoms in bis‐monodentate fashion to produce a 2‐D layered network, suggesting that the conjugate skeleton and the binding site of the co‐ligands have a moderate effect on molecular structure, crystal stacking pattern, and intramolecular weak interactions. In addition, the three complexes exhibit similar luminescent emissions originate from the transitions between the energy levels of sulfonate anions.     

Two New Cadmium(II) Compounds based on Distinct Second Building Subunits: Solvothermal Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Luminescent Properties

Two cadmium(II) coordination polymers, namely [Cd₃(bpt)₂(DMA)₂]_n ( 1 ) and [Cd₂(bpt)(btz)(DMF)]_n ( 2 ) (H₃bpt = biphenyl‐3,4′,5‐tricarboxylic acid, Hbtz = 1H‐benzotriazole, DMA = N,N‐dimethylacetamide; DMF = N,N‐dimethylformamide), were solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 displays a 3D framework based on trinuclear {Cd₃(COO)₄} subunits and can be simplified into a (4,8)‐connected topological network by viewing bpt^3– ligands and trinuclear {Cd₃(COO)₄} units as 4‐, 8‐connected nodes, respectively. Compound 2 also displays a 3D framework but based on 1D chain subunits controlled by carboxylate groups and btz^– ligands. In addition, the thermal stabilities and luminescent properties of compounds 1 and 2 were also investigated.     

A six‐connected α‐polonium net based on tetranuclear CdII nodes

The cadmium(II) coordination polymer poly[[(pyrazino[2,3‐f][1,10]phenanthroline‐κ²N⁸,N⁹)cadmium(II)]‐μ₃‐naphthalene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁵O¹:O¹,O^1′:O⁴,O^4′], [Cd(C₁₂H₆O₄)(C₁₄H₈N₄)]_n, contains two Cd^II cations, two pyrazino[2,3‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (L) ligands and two naphthalene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate (1,4‐ndc) anions in the asymmetric unit. Both Cd^II ions are in a distorted CdO₅N₂ monocapped octahedral coordination geometry. Both unique 1,4‐ndc ligands are bonded to three Cd^II ions. In these modes, tetranuclear clusters are formed in which four Cd^II ions are bridged by the carboxylate groups of the 1,4‐ndc ligands to form discrete rods. The tetranuclear cadmium carboxylate clusters act as rod‐shaped secondary building units (SBUs) within the structure. The SBUs are connected together by the aromatic backbone of the dicarboxylate ligands, connecting the clusters into a three‐dimensional α‐polonium net. The title compound represents the first α‐polonium net constructed from rod‐like clusters in coordination polymers. The result indicates that an appropriate combination of dicarboxylate and aromatic chelating ligands is critical to the formation of high‐dimensional structures based on metal clusters in these systems.     

Three novel topologically different metal–organic frameworks built from 3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoic acid

The design and synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much interest due to the intriguing diversity of their architectures and topologies. However, building MOFs with different topological structures from the same ligand is still a challenge. Using 3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoic acid (HL) as a new ligand, three novel MOFs, namely poly[[(N,N‐dimethylformamide‐κO)bis[μ₂‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ³O,O′:N]cadmium(II)] N,N‐dimethylformamide monosolvate methanol monosolvate], {[Cd(C₁₂H₇N₂O₄)₂(C₃H₇NO)]·C₃H₇NO·CH₃OH}_n, ( 1 ), poly[[(μ₂‐acetato‐κ²O:O′)[μ₃‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ³O:O′:N]bis[μ₃‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ⁴O,O′:O′:N]dicadmium(II)] N,N‐dimethylacetamide disolvate monohydrate], {[Cd₂(C₁₂H₇N₂O₄)₃(CH₃CO₂)]·2C₄H₉NO·H₂O}_n, ( 2 ), and catena‐poly[[[diaquanickel(II)]‐bis[μ₂‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ²O:N]] N,N‐dimethylacetamide disolvate], {[Ni(C₁₂H₇N₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·2C₄H₉NO}_n, ( 3 ), have been prepared. Single‐crystal structure analysis shows that the Cd^II atom in MOF ( 1 ) has a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal [CdN₂O₅] coordination geometry. The [CdN₂O₅] units as 4‐connected nodes are interconnected by L^? ligands to form a fourfold interpenetrating three‐dimensional (3D) framework with a dia topology. In MOF ( 2 ), there are two crystallographically different Cd^II ions showing a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal [CdNO₆] and a distorted octahedral [CdN₂O₄] coordination geometry, respectively. Two Cd^II ions are connected by three carboxylate groups to form a binuclear [Cd₂(COO)₃] cluster. Each binuclear cluster as a 6‐connected node is further linked by acetate groups and L^? ligands to produce a non‐interpenetrating 3D framework with a pcu topology. MOF ( 3 ) contains two crystallographically distinct Ni^II ions on special positions. Each Ni^II ion adopts an elongated octahedral [NiN₂O₄] geometry. Each Ni^II ion as a 4‐connected node is linked by L^? ligands to generate a two‐dimensional network with an sql topology, which is further stabilized by two types of intermolecular OW—HW…O hydrogen bonds to form a 3D supramolecular framework. MOFs ( 1 )–( 3 ) were also characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetic analysis. Furthermore, the solid‐state photoluminescence of HL and MOFs ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) have been investigated. The photoluminescence of MOFs ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) are enhanced and red‐shifted with respect to free HL. The gas adsorption investigation of MOF ( 2 ) indicates a good separation selectivity (71) of CO₂/N₂ at 273 K (i.e. the amount of CO₂ adsorption is 71 times higher than N₂ at the same pressure).     

A Systematic Study of Fluorescence‐Based Detection of Nitroexplosives and Other Aromatics in the Vapor Phase by Microporous Metal–Organic Frameworks

A systematic study is conducted on four microporous metal–organic framework compounds built on similar ligands but different structures, namely [Zn₃(bpdc)₃(bpy)] ? 4 DMF ? H₂O ( 1 ), [Zn₃(bpdc)₃(2,2′dmbpy)] ? 4 DMF ? H₂O ( 2 ), [Zn₂(bpdc)₂(bpe)] ? 2 DMF ( 3 ), and [Zn(bpdc)(bpe)] ? DMF ( 4 ) (bpdc=4,4′‐biphenyldicarboxylate; bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine; 2,2′dmbpy=2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′bipyridine; bpe=1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethane; DMF=N,N′‐dimethylformamide) to investigate their photoluminescence properties and sensing/detection behavior upon exposure to vapors of various aromatic molecules (analytes) including nitroaromatic explosives. The results show that all four compounds are capable of detecting these molecules in the vapor phase through fluorescence quenching or enhancement. Both electrochemical measurements and theoretical calculations are performed to analyze the analyte–MOF interactions, to explain the difference in signal response by different analytes, and to understand the mechanism of fluorescence quenching or enhancement observed in these systems. Interestingly, compound 3 also shows an emission frequency shift when exposed to benzene (BZ), chlorobenzene (ClBZ), and toluene (TO), which provides an additional variable for the identification of different analytes in the same category.     

Design and synthesis of methyl 2‐{[4‐phenyl‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl]sulfanyl}acetate (phpy2NS) as a ligand for complexes of Group 12 elements: structural assessment and hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular assembly analysis

The reaction of 2‐cyanopyridine with N‐phenylthiosemicarbazide afforded 2‐[amino(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]‐N‐phenylhydrazine‐1‐carbothioamide (Ham4ph) and crystals of 4‐phenyl‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thione (pyph3NS, 1 , C₁₃H₁₀N₄S). Crystals of methyl 2‐{[4‐phenyl‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl]sulfanyl}acetate (phpy2NS, 2 , C₁₆H₁₄N₄O₂S), derived from 1 , were obtained by the reaction of Ham4ph with chloroacetic acid, followed by the acid‐catalyzed esterification of the carboxylic acid with methyl alcohol. Crystals of bis(methanol‐κO)bis(methyl 2‐{[4‐phenyl‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl‐κ²N¹,N⁵]sulfanyl}acetato)zinc(II)/cadmium(II) hexabromidocadmate(II), [Zn_0.76Cd_0.24(C₁₆H₁₄N₄O₂S)₂(CH₃OH)₂][Cd₂Br₆] or [Zn_0.76Cd_0.24(phpy2NS)₂(MeOH)₂][Cd₂Br₆], 3 , and dichlorido(methyl 2‐{[4‐phenyl‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl‐κ²N¹,N⁵]sulfanyl}acetato)mercury(II), [HgCl₂(C₁₆H₁₄N₄O₂S)] or [Hg(phpy2NS)Cl₂], 4 , were synthesized using ligand 2 and CdBr₂ or HgCl₂, respectively. The molecular and supramolecular structures of the compounds were studied by X‐ray diffractometry. The asymmetric unit of 3 is formed from CdBr₃ and M(phpy2NS)(MeOH) units, where the metal centre M has a 76% occupancy of Zn^II and 24% of Cd^II. The M²⁺ centre of the cation, located on a crystallographic inversion centre, is hexacoordinated and appears as a slightly distorted octahedral [MN₄O₂]²⁺ cation. The Cd centre of the anion is coordinated by two terminal bromide ligands and two bridging bromide ligands that generate [Cd₂Br₆]^2? cadmium–bromide clusters. These clusters display crystallographic inversion symmetry forming two edge‐shared tetrahedra and serve as agents that direct the structure in the formation of supramolecular assemblies. In mononuclear complex 4 , the coordination geometry around the Hg²⁺ ion is distorted tetrahedral and comprises two chloride ligands and two N‐atom donors from the phpy2NS ligand, viz. one pyridine N atom and the other from triazole. In the crystal packing, all four compounds exhibit weak intermolecular interactions, which facilitate the formation of three‐dimensional architectures. Along with the noncovalent interactions, the structural diversity in the complexes can be attributed to the metal centre and to the coordination geometry, as well as to its ionic or neutral character.     

Luminescent properties of three structures built from 3‐cyano‐4‐dicyanomethylene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olate and cadmium

Yellow–orange tetraaquabis(3‐cyano‐4‐dicyanomethylene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olato‐κN³)cadmium(II) dihydrate, [Cd(C₈HN₄O₂)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O, (I), and yellow tetraaquabis(3‐cyano‐4‐dicyanomethylene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olato‐κN³)cadmium(II) 1,4‐dioxane solvate, [Cd(C₈HN₄O₂)₂(H₂O)₄]·C₄H₈O₂, (II), contain centrosymmetric mononuclear Cd²⁺ coordination complex molecules in different conformations. Dark‐red poly[[decaaquabis(μ₂‐3‐cyano‐4‐dicyanomethylene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olato‐κ²N:N′)bis(μ₂‐3‐cyano‐4‐dicyanomethylene‐1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐diolato‐κ²N:N′)tricadmium] hemihydrate], [Cd₃(C₈HN₄O₂)₂(C₈N₄O₂)₂(H₂O)₁₀]·0.5H₂O, (III), has a polymeric two‐dimensional structure, the building block of which includes two cadmium cations (one of them located on an inversion centre), and both singly and doubly charged anions. The cathodoluminescence spectra of the crystals are different and cover the wavelength range from UV to red, with emission peaks at 377 and 620 nm for (III), and at 583 and 580 nm for (I) and (II), respectively.     

Exchange of Coordinated Solvent During Crystallization of a Metal–Organic Framework Observed by In Situ High‐Energy X‐ray Diffraction

Using time‐resolved monochromatic high energy X‐ray diffraction, we present an in situ study of the solvothermal crystallisation of a new MOF [Yb₂(BDC)₃(DMF)₂]?H₂O (BDC=benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate and DMF=N,N‐dimethylformamide) under solvothermal conditions, from mixed water/DMF solvent. Analysis of high resolution powder patterns obtained reveals an evolution of lattice parameters and electron density during the crystallisation process and Rietveld analysis shows that this is due to a gradual topochemical replacement of coordinated solvent molecules. The water initially coordinated to Yb³⁺ is replaced by DMF as the reaction progresses.