Biplab Joarder

Highly Selective Detection of Nitro Explosives by a Luminescent Metal–Organic Framework†

Fluorescence-baseddetection is gaining increasing attention owing to its highsensitivity, simplicity, short response time, and its ability to beemployed both in solution and solid phase. Numerousp-electron-rich fluorescent conjugated polymers have beensynthesized, and are used in the detection of trace amounts ofnitro aromatics.

Selective and Sensitive Aqueous‐Phase Detection of 2,4,6‐Trinitrophenol (TNP) by an Amine‐Functionalized Metal–Organic Framework

Highly selective and sensitive aqueous-phase detection of nitro explosive 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) by a hydrolytically stable 3D luminescent metal-organic framework is reported. The compound senses TNP exclusively even in the presence of other nitro-compounds, with an unprecedented sensitivity in the MOF regime by means of strategic deployment of its free amine groups. Such an accurate sensing of TNP, widely recognized as a harmful environmental contaminant in water media, establishes this new strategic approach as one of the frontiers to tackle present-day security and health concerns in a real-time scenario.

Framework-Flexibility Driven Selective Sorption of p -Xylene over Other Isomers by a Dynamic Metal-Organic Framework

Chemical separation has great importance in industrial applications. Separation of xylene isomers still prevails to be one of the most important challenges in chemical industry, due to the large amount of commercial use of p-xylene in the production of beverage bottles, fibers and films. A novel Zn(II)-based dynamic coordination framework based on flexible ether-linkage, exhibiting selective adsorption of p-Xylene over its congener C8-alkyl aromatic isomers at ambient conditions is reported. Notably, no dynamic structure based MOF compound is known in the literature which shows clear preference of p-xylene over other isomers. This type of framework-breathing and guest-induced reversible solid-state structural transformations with unique adsorption selectivity can be exploited purposefully to develop smart functional host materials capable of industrially important chemical separations.

Bi-porous metal–organic framework with hydrophilic and hydrophobic channels: selective gas sorption and reversible iodine uptake studies

A new three-dimensional (3D) bi-porous metal–organic framework (MOF), {[(Me2NH2)2]·[Cd3(5-tbip)4]·2DMF}n (1) (5-tbipH2: 5-tert-butylisophthalic acid) has been synthesized. The 5-tbip ligand containing a hydrophobic t-butyl group and hydrophilic carboxylate groups is used to synthesize the bi-porous framework. This 3D MOF contains two types of channels, a wide mouth hydrophilic channel of dimension 7.448 × 7.676 A2 and a narrow mouth hydrophobic channel of dimension 2.33 × 1.926 A2. Hydrophilic channels are lined with the orderly arranged dimethyl ammonium (DMA) cations which neutralize the anionic 3D framework. The guest-free form of the MOF (1′) showed interesting CO2 selectivity over other gases such as N2, CH4, and H2. Since the effective pore size of the desolvated compound 1′ (∼0.6 nm: from the pore size distribution curve of CO2 adsorption measurement) is much more than the kinetic diameter of all measured gases (CO2 = 3.3 A, CH4 = 3.76 A, N2 = 3.64 A and H2 = 2.8 A), selective capture of CO2 by 1′ could be ascribed to the strong electrostatic interaction of CO2 with the framework. Compound 1′ also shows reversible iodine uptake (1′ ⊂ 4I2: based on the sample weight measurements and TGA data) with visible color change of the compound. Interestingly, the iodine-loaded MOF showed ∼76 times increase in electrical conductivity compared to 1′.

An Amide‐Functionalized Dynamic Metal–Organic Framework Exhibiting Visual Colorimetric Anion Exchange and Selective Uptake of Benzene over Cyclohexane

A novel porous metal-organic framework (MOF) architecture is formed by a neutral amide-functionalized ligand and copper(II). Upon desolvation, this compound undergoes a dynamic structural transformation from a one-dimensional (1D) porous phase to a two-dimensional (2D) non-porous phase that shows selective uptake of benzene over cyclohexane. The as-synthesized compound also acts as a visual colorimetric anion sensor for thiocyanate.

A homochiral luminescent 2D porous coordination polymer with collagen-type triple helices showing selective guest inclusion.

A homochiral luminescent porous coordination polymer, [Cd(L)(H(2)O)]·3H(2)O, with interconnected collagen like triple-helical chains has been synthesized solvothermally by using cadmium(II) salt and a newly designed d-isosorbide-based, enantiomerically pure chiral ligand. The framework is a 2D porous material and forms a 1D channel along the a axis, with the channel dimensions ~6.2 × 4.4 Å(2). The compound has high selectivity in the uptake of water and methanol over other solvents (e.g., tetrahydrofuran, ethanol, benzene, and cyclohexane) inside the channels.

Exploiting Framework Flexibility of a Metal-Organic Framework for Selective Adsorption of Styrene over Ethylbenzene

The separation of styrene and ethylbenzene mixtures is industrially important and is currently performed in highly energy-intensive vacuum distillation columns. The primary objective of our investigation is to offer an energy-efficient alternative for selective adsorption of styrene by a flexible metal-organic framework, DynaMOF-100. The structural transformation of DynaMOF-100 is specifically triggered on inclusion of styrene within the framework; this structural transformation is reversible. The styrene/ethylbenzene adsorption selectivity, originated as an outcome of the framework flexibility, is found to be much superior to the only two MOFs yet reported, serving styrene/ethylbenzene separation purpose.

Amino Acid Based Dynamic Metal–Biomolecule Frameworks

On the move: Two isostructural, homochiral Cu(II) coordination frameworks based on amino acids (D- and L-PGA) were synthesized. Dynamic behavior by solid-state structural transformation in single-crystal-to-single-crystal fashion was demonstrated. The extent of structural dynamism was shown by guest inclusion studies. Reversible sol-gel formation and anion-tuning morphology of the compounds is also discussed.

Guest‐Responsive Function of a Dynamic Metal–Organic Framework with a π Lewis Acidic Pore Surface

A 3D dynamic coordination framework with an electron-deficient pore surface has been synthesized by using Zn(II) (having a variable coordination number) and a predesigned flexible π-electron-deficient core-based ligand, exhibiting chemical separations based on pore surface functionalization (π Lewis acidic pore surfaces and open metal sites) and framework flexibility, giving rise to a unique smart guest-responsive material.

Anion‐Responsive Tunable Bulk‐Phase Homochirality and Luminescence of a Cationic Framework

Reaction of a linear bi-chelating N-donor achiral ligand with Zn(II) afforded a homochiral cationic framework with six-fold one-dimensional helical chains. The compound showed selective anion exchange behavior with interesting anion-responsive tunable bulk-phase homochirality. The cationic framework also presented anion-driven variable luminescence and sorption behavior.