Crystal Structures and Luminescent Probe Behaviors of Three-Dimensional Zn(II) Frameworks with Multicarboxylate and Tetradentate Imidazole-Containing Ligands

Abstract

Three novel metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) [Zn2(tipe)(bpt)(H2bpt)]·MeOH·9H2O (1), [Zn2(tipe)(tpe)]·3MeOH·13H2O (2), and [Zn2(tipe)1.5(AIP)](NO3)2·7DMA·7H2O (3) (DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide, MeOH = methanol) were synthesized by reactions of zinc(II) salt with organic ligands of 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-(imidazol-1-yl)phenyl)ethene (tipe) and biphenyl-3,4′,5-tricarboxylic acid (H3bpt), tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)ethene (H4tpe), or 5-aminoisophthalic acid (H2AIP). Crystal structural determination revealed that they are distinct three-dimensional (3D) frameworks with varied porous structures and topologies. Interestingly, MOFs 1 and 2 show strong luminescence in ethanol and DMF suspension and can be used as chemical sensors for detecting antibiotics and nitroaromatic compounds, respectively. In addition, MOF 3 can emit white light by encapsulating organic dye molecules into the voids of the framework.