Dual-Functional Eu-Metal-Organic Framework with Ratiometric Fluorescent Broad-Spectrum Sensing of Benzophenone-like Ultraviolet Filters and High Proton Conduction.

The construction of attractive dual-functional lanthanide-based metal-organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) with ratiometric fluorescent detection and proton conductivity is significant and challenging. Herein, a three-dimensional (3D) Eu-MOF, namely, [Eu4(HL)2(SBA)4(H2O)6]·9H2O, has been hydrothermally synthesized with a dual-ligand strategy, using (4-carboxypiperidyl)-N-methylenephosphonic acid (H3L = H2O3PCH2-NC5H9-COOH) and 4-sulfobenzoic acid monopotassium salt (KHSBA = KO3SC6H4COOH) as organic linkers. Eu-MOF showed ratiometric fluorescent broad-spectrum sensing of benzophenone-like ultraviolet filters (BP-like UVFs) with satisfactory sensitivity, selectivity, and low limits of detection in water/ethanol (1:1, v/v) solutions and real urine systems. A portable test paper was prepared for the convenience of actual detection. The potential sensing mechanisms were thoroughly analyzed by diversified experiments. The synergistic effect of the forbidden energy transfer from the ligand to Eu3+, the internal filtration effect (IFE), the formation of a complex, and weak interactions between the KHSBA ligand and BP-like UVFs is responsible for the ratiometric sensing effect. Meanwhile, Eu-MOF displayed relatively high proton conductivity of 2.60 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 368 K and 95% relative humidity (RH), making it a potential material for proton conduction. This work provides valuable guidance for the facile and effective design and construction of multifunctional Ln-MOFs with promising performance.

Two Stable Cd-MOFs as Dual-Functional Materials with Luminescent Sensing of Antibiotics and Proton Conduction.

Construction and investigation of dual-functional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with luminescent sensing and proton conduction provide widespread applications in clean energy and environmental monitoring fields. By selecting a phosphonic acid ligand 4-pyridyl-CH2N(CH2PO3H2)2 (H4L) and coligand 2,2'-biimidazole (H2biim), two cadmium-based MOFs [Cd1.5(HL)(H2biim)0.5] (1) and (H4biim)0.5·[Cd2(L)(H2biim)Cl] (2) with different structures and properties have been hydrothermally synthesized by controlling reaction temperature. Based on the excellent thermal and chemical stabilities, and good luminescent stabilities in water solution, 1 and 2 can serve as luminescent sensors of chloramphenicol (CAP) with different quenching constant (KSV) values and detection limits (LODs) in water, simulated environmental system, and real fish water system. Meanwhile, different sensing effects and possible sensing mechanisms are analyzed in detail. Moreover, 1 and 2 can also serve as good proton-conducting materials. The proton conductivities can reach up to 1.41 × 10-4 S cm-1 for 1 and 1.02 × 10-3 S cm-1 for 2 at 368 K and 95% relative humidity (RH). Among them, 2 shows better luminescent sensing and proton conduction performance than 1, which indicates that different crystal structures have a great impact on the properties of MOFs. Through the discussion of the relationship between structures and properties in detail, the possible reasons for the differences in properties are obtained, which can provide theoretical guidance for the rational design of this kind of dual-functional MOFs in the future.

Dual-Functional Metal-Organic Framework for Luminescent Detection of Carcinoid Biomarkers and High Proton Conduction.

It remains a challenge to exploit dual-functional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for applications, including luminescence detection and proton conduction. With the deliberate selection of the bifunctional organic ligand 5-sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt (NaH2bts), and the phosphonic acid ligand N,N'-piperazine (bismethylenephosphonic acid; H4L), a robust three-dimensional (3D) noninterpenetrating dual-functional MOF, [Tb(H2L)(H2bts)(H2O)]·H2O (1), has been synthesized hydrothermally. On the basis of the excellent thermal and chemical as well as superior luminescence stabilities in water and solutions with different pHs, 1 can serve as the simple, rapid, and highly selective and sensitive luminescence detection of the carcinoid biomarkers 5-hydroxytryptamine (HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (HIAA) with detection limits of nanomolar magnitude in water and in simulated blood plasma and urine systems. Due to the change in the signals that could be readily differentiated by the naked eye under a UV lamp, a portable test paper has been developed. The probable quenching mechanisms are discussed in detail. In addition, a great number of hydrogen-bonding networks are formed among the uncoordinated carboxylic oxygen atoms, sulfonate oxygen atoms, protonated nitrogen atoms, and water molecules, which provide potential proton-hopping sites for proton conduction, leading to a maximum proton conductivity of 2.3 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 368 K and 95% relative humidity. The above results suggest that rationally designed dual-functional MOFs can open an avenue for the development of occupational diagnostic tools and alternative energy technology.

Assembly of tetra-nuclear YbIII-containing selenotungstate clusters: synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties.

Two tetra-nuclear YbIII-incorporated selenotungstate clusters, Keggin (C2H8N)6Na14[Yb4Se6W44O160(H2O)12]·40H2O (1) and Wells-Dawson (C2H8N)4Na14[Yb4Se6W45O159(OH)6(H2O)11]·38H2O (2), have been isolated through a pH-controlled assembly, which exhibit the first YbIII-containing polyoxotungstates with selenium heteroatoms. Their assemblies rely on the structure-directing effects of SeO32- anion templates to give rise to available Se-containing Keggin-/Wells-Dawson-type motifs. Both compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, power X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as well as electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Furthermore, systematic magnetic studies revealed that 1 exhibits field-induced single-molecule magnetic behavior with a pre-exponential factor of τ0 = 6.60(7) × 10-8 s and a relaxation energy barrier of ΔE/kB = 39.44(2) K, while 2 only displays antiferromagnetic interactions between the ytterbium centers.

A Mixed-Valence {Fe13 } Cluster Exhibiting Metal-to-Metal Charge-Transfer-Switched Spin Crossover.

It is promising and challenging to manipulate the electronic structures and functions of materials utilizing both metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) and spin-crossover (SCO) to tune the valence and spin states of metal ions. Herein, a metallocyanate building block is used to link with a FeII -triazole moiety and generates a mixed-valence complex {[(Tp4-Me )FeIII (CN)3 ]9 [FeII 4 (trz-ph)6 ]}⋅[Ph3 PMe]2 ⋅[(Tp4-Me )FeIII (CN)3 ] (1; trz-ph=4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole). Moreover, MMCT occurs between FeIII and one of the FeII sites after heat treatment, resulting in the generation of a new phase, {[(Tp4-Me )FeII (CN)3 ][(Tp4-Me )FeIII (CN)3 ]8 [FeIII FeII 3 (trz-ph)6 ]}⋅ [Ph3 PMe]2 ⋅[(Tp4-Me )FeIII (CN)3 ] (1 a). Structural and magnetic studies reveal that MMCT can tune the two-step SCO behavior of 1 into one-step SCO behavior of 1 a. Our work demonstrates that the integration of MMCT and SCO can provide a new alternative for manipulating functional spin-transition materials with accessible multi-electronic states.

Self-Assembly of Nanoscale Lanthanoid-Containing Selenotungstates: Synthesis, Structures, and Magnetic Studies.

The reaction of mid-lanthanide (Ln) ions with the preformed {Se6W39} precursor under reasonably acidic aqueous conditions in the presence of organic amine cations results in an unprecedented nanoscale lanthanide-functionalized polyoxotungstate family, which are rare examples of mid-lanthanide-containing selenotungstates. (C4H10NO)9Na3[Dy3Se3.5W30O107.5(H2O)10]·22H2O (1) and (NH4)3(C2H8N)Na2[Dy4Se6W38O132(H2O)26(OH)6]·18H2O (2) reveal a trimeric Keggin assembly and a cyclic {Se6W38}-based chain, respectively, whereas (NH4)4Na8[Gd4Se6W48O166(H2O)20(OH)4]·21H2O (3) and (NH4)9(C2H8N)4Na5[Ln6Se6W58O202(H2O)20(OH)4]·58H2O (4; Ln = Gd, Tb, or Dy) are a few examples of polyoxometalates consisting of both classical Keggin and Wells-Dawson building blocks, and (NH4)4(C2H8N)5Na13[Ln4Se8W56O196(H2O)x(OH)10]·40H2O (5; Ln = Gd, Tb, or Dy; x = 12 for Gd and Tb and 10 for Dy) features the largest "pure" Wells-Dawson selenotungstate {Se8W56} bearing a length of 3.73 nm. A library of Se-templated species involving the first reported Keggin {α-SeW8} and Wells-Dawson {α-Se2W16} building blocks as well as some decisive assembly factors during the synthesis is responsible for these architectures. All of the compounds were structurally characterized in the solid and solution by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Magnetic properties indicate that 1 and 4-Dy show probable single-molecule-magnet behavior with obvious frequency dependence, whereas 3 and 4-Gd present the antiferromagnetic interactions between the GdIII centers.

Effect of Intermolecular Interactions on Metal-to-Metal Charge Transfer: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigation.

Understanding the effects of intermolecular interactions on metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) is crucial to develop molecular devices by grafting MMCT-based molecular arrays. Herein, we report a series of solvent-free {Fe2 Co2 } compounds sharing the same cationic tetranuclear {[Fe(PzTp)(CN)3 ]2 [Co(dpq)2 ]2 }2+ (PzTp- =tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate, dpq=dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline) square units but having anions with different size, including BF4 - , PF6 - , OTf- , and [Fe(PzTp)(CN)3 ]- . Intermolecular π⋅⋅⋅π interactions between dpq ligands, which coordinate to cobalt ions in the {[Fe(PzTp)(CN)3 ]2 [Co(dpq)2 ]2 }2+ units, can be modulated by introducing different counterions, regulating the distortion of the CoN6 octahedron and ligand field around the cobalt ions. This change results in different MMCT behavior. Computational analyzes reveal the substantial role of the intermolecular interactions tuned by the presence of different counteranions on the MMCT behavior.

Terbium Oxalatophosphonate as Efficient Multiresponsive Luminescent Sensors for Chromate Anions and Tryptophan Molecules.

A stable 2D terbium oxalatophosphonate with green luminescence, namely, [Tb2(H3L)(C2O4)3(H2O)4]·2H2O (1), has been hydrothermally obtained by using (4-carboxypiperidyl)-N-methylenephosphonic acid (H3L) and oxalate ligand. The luminescent investigation indicates that the emission behavior of compound 1 shows high water and pH stabilities. It can be applied as a multiresponsive luminescent probe with high selectivity, high sensitivity, recycling capability, and fast sensing of CrO4 2-, Cr2O7 2- anions and tryptophan (Trp) molecules in aqueous solution through the luminescence quenching effect. Moreover, the sensing results can be distinguished by the naked eye under the irradiation of UV light of 254 nm. In addition, the probable mechanisms for the quenching behavior are also discussed, which can be mainly attributed to the competitive absorption of excitation energy between compound 1 and the analytes.

A Series of Linear {FeIII2 FeII } Complexes with Paramagnetic Building-Block-Modified Spin Crossover Behaviors.

Tuning of the spin crossover (SCO) behavior through paramagnetic building blocks with different steric hindrance effects is of great interest in terms of the synergy between SCO and magnetic interactions. Herein, the steric effect of specified FeIII building blocks is modified, from the large Tp* (hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) analogue to a small Tp (hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate) derivative; the FeII SCO unit and FeIII paramagnetic ions are incorporated into three well isolated trinuclear complexes featuring thermally induced and light-induced SCO properties. Reanalysis of the structures reveals that π-π stacking interactions play a key role in the thermal hysteresis and anomalous octahedral distortion parameter Σ around the FeII ion. The Tp* ligand showing the largest steric hindrance induces elongated FeII -N bond lengths and bending of the C≡N-FeII angle in 1, as well as having a relatively large electron donor effect, which leads to the lowest thermal transition temperature among the three compounds.

Photo- and Electronically Switchable Spin-Crossover Iron(II) Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on a Tetrathiafulvalene Ligand.

A major challenge is the development of multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), wherein magnetic and electronic functionality can be controlled simultaneously. Herein, we rationally construct two 3D MOFs by introducing the redox active ligand tetra(4-pyridyl)tetrathiafulvalene (TTF(py)4 ) and spin-crossover FeII centers. The materials exhibit redox activity, in addition to thermally and photo-induced spin crossover (SCO). A crystal-to-crystal transformation induced by I2 doping has also been observed and the resulting intercalated structure determined. The conductivity could be significantly enhanced (up to 3 orders of magnitude) by modulating the electronic state of the framework via oxidative doping; SCO behavior was also modified and the photo-magnetic behavior was switched off. This work provides a new strategy to tune the spin state and conductivity of framework materials through guest-induced redox-state switching.

12-Metal 36-membered ring based W(V)-Co(II) layers showing spin-glass behavior.

The present study describes the designed synthesis, X-ray structures, and magnetic properties of two 2D cyano bridged heterobimetallic W(V)-Co(II) networks, {[W(CN)8]2[Co(phpy)4]3}·2CH3OH·2H2O (1) and {[W(CN)8]2[Co(4-spy)4]3}·6H2O (2) (phpy = 4-phenylpyridine, 4-spy = 4-styrylpyridine). Both compounds consist of cyano-bridged 12-metal 36-membered ring units, Co6W6(CN)12, joined by organic linkers into a 2D plane. The layer presents a corrugated configuration in compound 1 and a plane configuration in compound 2 due to different π-π stacking interactions. Magnetic measurements reveal that both 1 and 2 have a transition to the spin glass-like phase due to competitive magnetic interactions.

Single-molecule magnet behavior in three cyano-bridged heterometallic Fe(III)-Ni(II) clusters.

One trinuclear and two tetranuclear cyanide-bridged Fe(III)-Ni(II) complexes were synthesized via treatment of a tricyanometallate with divalent Ni salts in the presence of 1-butylimidazole, 2,2-bipyrimidyl and 1,10-phenanthroline, respectively. Magnetic property studies demonstrated that the three complexes exhibit single-molecule magnet behavior as a result of strong intracluster ferromagnetic coupling and weak intercluster magnetic interactions.

Lanthanide(III) oxalatophosphonates: syntheses, crystal structures and luminescence properties.

By the introduction of oxalate as the second ligand, five new lanthanide oxalatophosphonate hybrids with a 2D layered structure, namely, [Ln(H2L)(C2O4)(H2O)]·2H2O [Ln = Nd (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Tb (4), Dy (5), H3L = H2O3PCH2NCH2(CH2CH2OPO2H)], have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. Compounds 1-5 are isostructural and exhibit a 2D layer formed by the interconnection of a 1D zigzag chain of {Ln(C2O4)}(+) with the phosphonate ligands. The effect of lanthanide contraction induces the decrease of the lattice parameters and crystal size from Nd to Dy. The luminescence properties of compounds 2-5 have been studied.

Two novel lead(II) carboxyphosphonates with a layered and a 3D framework structure: syntheses, crystal structures, reversible dehydration/hydration, and luminescence properties.

Two novel lead(II) carboxyphosphonates with a layered and a 3D framework structure, namely, [Pb2Cl3(H2L)]·H2O (1) and [Pb2(HL)(HBTC)] (2) (H3L = H2O3PCH2-NC5H9-COOH, H3BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized. For compound 1, the interconnection of Pb(1)O2Cl3, Pb(2)O2Cl3, and CPO3 polyhedra via corner- and edge-sharing forms a 1D chain. The adjacent chains connect with each other by sharing the chloride anion, thereby generating a 2D layered structure in the ab-plane. The lattice water molecules are located between adjacent layers. Compound 2 exhibits a 3D pillared-layered structure. The Pb(1)O5, Pb(2)O5, and CPO3 polyhedra are interconnected into a 1D double chain via corner- and edge-sharing, which is further linked to adjacent chains through carboxyphosphonate ligands to form a 2D double layer structure. Neighboring double layers are bridged through the second linkers HBTC(2-), leading to a 3D pillared-layered structure with a 1D channel system along the a-axis. An interesting feature of compound 1 is the presence of the dehydration/hydration properties. It is worth noting that compound 2 can be stable up to a high temperature. The luminescent properties of compounds 1 and 2 have also been studied.

A series of novel lanthanide carboxyphosphonates with a 3D framework structure: synthesis, structure, and luminescent and magnetic properties.

By introduction of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid as the second organic ligand, a series of novel lanthanide carboxyphosphonates with a 3D framework structure, namely, [Ln(3)(H(2)L)(HL)(2)(bdc)(2)(H(2)O)]·7H(2)O (Ln = La (1), Ce (2), Pr (3), Nd (4), Sm (5), Eu (6), Gd (7), Tb (8); H(3)L = H(2)O(3)PCH(2)NC(5)H(9)COOH; H(2)bdc = HOOCC(6)H(4)COOH) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Compounds are isostructural and feature a 3D framework in which Ln(III) polyhedra are interconnected by bridging {CPO(3)} tetrahedra into 2D inorganic layers parallel to the ab plane. The organic groups of H(2)L(-) are grafted on the two sides of the layer. These layers are further cross-linked by the bdc(2-) ligands from one layer to the Ln atoms from the other into a pillared-layered architecture with one-dimensional channel system along the a axis. The thermal stability of compounds has been investigated. Luminescent properties of compounds , and the magnetic properties of compound have also been studied.

Hydrothermal synthesis, structures, and luminescent properties of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) phosphonates with a 3D framework structure using terephthalate as second linkers.

By introduction of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid as a second organic ligand, two new divalent metal(II) phosphonates with a 3D framework structure, namely, [Zn(HL1)(bdc)(0.5)] (1) and [Cd(1.5)(HL2)(bdc)(0.5)] (2) (H(2)L1 = H(2)O(3)PCH(NH(2))C(6)H(5), H(3)L2 = H(2)O(3)PCH(2)-NC(5)H(9)-COOH, H(2)bdc = HOOCC(6)H(4)COOH), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The two compounds show three-dimensional (3D) framework structure with infinite two-dimensional (2D) networks pillared by H(2)bdc. For compound 1, the {ZnO(4)} polyhedra are interconnected by phosphonate groups into a 2D layer, and the adjacent layers are further cross-linked via the bdc(2-) anions to generate a three-dimensional framework structure with two types of channel system along the c-axis. A notable feature of compound 1 is the presence of alternate left- and right-handed helical chains in the structure. In compound 2, the inorganic chains, composed of {Cd(1)O(7)}, {Cd(2)O(4)} and {CPO(3)} polyhedra, are linked by HL2(2-) ligands to form a double layer structure in the ab plane, and the adjacent layers are further linked by the bdc(2-) anions to form a 3D framework structure with one-dimensional channel systems along the a-axis. Luminescence properties of compounds 1 and 2 have also been studied.

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structures, and luminescent properties of a series of new lanthanide oxalatophosphonates with a layer architecture.

Eleven new lanthanide oxalatophosphonate hybrids with a 2D layered structures, namely, [Ln(H(3)L)(C(2)O(4))]·2H(2)O (Ln = La-Dy, Er and Y, H(4)L = C(6)H(5)CH(2)N(CH(2)PO(3)H(2))(2)), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. Compounds 1-11 are isomorphous and they exhibit a 2D framework structure. Two {LnO(8)} polyhedra and four {CPO(3)} tetrahedra are interconnected into a unit via corner-sharing, and the so-built units are bridged by the oxalate anions into a layer. The result of connections in this manner is the formation of a 24-atom window. The thermal stabilities and guest desorption-sorption properties of compounds 1-11 have been investigated. The luminescent properties of compounds 5, 6, 8 and 9 have also been studied.