Synthesis, structure and fluorescence property of a new Zn-MOF based on a tetraphenylethane (TPE) ligand

Abstract

A new 3D luminescent Zinc (II) metal-organic framework, has been solvothermally synthesized by using Zn(NO3)2⋅4H2O and a mixture of ligands: Titpe ligand and bcpf ligand. The molecular formula is [Zn(Titpe)(bcpf)•(DMF)]n, (Compound 1, Titpe = 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl)ethane, bcpf= 4,4΄-sulfonyldibenzoic acid). Compound 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P -1, with a=12.9990(9), b=14.2181(10), c=14.3781(10) Å, α = 89.974(4)°, β = 71.640(4)°, γ = 80.732(4)°, V = 2485.6(3) Å3, Z = 2, Mr = 1039.43, Dc =1.389 g/cm3, μ = 0.600 mm−1, F(000) = 1076.0, R = 0.0747 and wR =0.2508 for 9724 observed reflections (I > 2σ(I)). Topology analysis shows that compound 1 is a double interpenetrating structure. In addition, due to the ligand-to-ligand charge transfer of the TPE chromophore, luminescent spectra of 1 shows that it emits strong blue light. Compound 1 can detect Fe3+ ions with high selectivity and sensitivity among diverse inorganic cations in aqueous solution and is also a highly selective sensing material for CrO42− and Cr2O72- ions.