Mei Pan

Stepwise Assembly of Pd6(RuL3)8 Nanoscale Rhombododecahedral Metal–Organic Cages via Metalloligand Strategy for Guest Trapping and Protection

Stepwise synthesis of nanosized Pd-Ru heteronuclear metal-organic cages from predesigned redox- and photo-active Ru(II)-metalloligand and naked Pd(II) ion is described. The resulting cage shows rhombododecahedral shape and contains a 5350 Å(3) cavity and 12 open windows, facilitating effective trapping of both polar and nonpolar guest molecules. Protection of photosensitive guests against UV radiation is studied.

Thermally Stable Porous Hydrogen-Bonded Coordination Networks Displaying Dual Properties of Robustness and Dynamics upon Guest Uptake

Two series of microporous lanthanide coordination networks of the general formula, {[Ln(ntb)Cl(3)] x xH(2)O}(n) (series 1: monoclinic C2/c, Ln = Sm and Tb; series 2: hexagonal P3(1)/c, Ln = Sm and Eu; ntb = tris(benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)amine, x = 0-4) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analyses, thermal gravimetry, and single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods. In both series, the monomeric [Ln(ntb)Cl(3)] coordination units are consolidated by N-H...Cl or C-H...Cl hydrogen bonds to sustain three-dimensional (3D) networks. However, the different modes of hydrogen bonding in the two series lead to crystallization of the same [Ln(ntb)Cl(3)] monomers in different forms (monoclinic vs. hexagonal), consequently giving rise to distinct porous structures. The resulting hydrogen-bonded coordination networks display high thermal stability and robustness in water removal/inclusion processes, which was confirmed by temperature-dependent single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation measurements. Adsorption studies with H(2), CO(2), and MeOH have been carried out, and reveal distinct differences in adsorption behavior between the two forms. In the case of MeOH uptake, the monoclinic network shows a normal type I isotherm, whereas the hexagonal network displays dynamic porous properties.

Ultrafast water sensing and thermal imaging by a metal-organic framework with switchable luminescence

A convenient, fast and selective water analysis method is highly desirable in industrial and detection processes. Here a robust microporous Zn-MOF (metal–organic framework, Zn(hpi2cf)(DMF)(H2O)) is assembled from a dual-emissive H2hpi2cf (5-(2-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-bis(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)isophthalic acid) ligand that exhibits characteristic excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). This Zn-MOF contains amphipathic micropores (<3 Å) and undergoes extremely facile single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation driven by reversible removal/uptake of coordinating water molecules simply stimulated by dry gas blowing or gentle heating at 70 °C, manifesting an excellent example of dynamic reversible coordination behaviour. The interconversion between the hydrated and dehydrated phases can turn the ligand ESIPT process on or off, resulting in sensitive two-colour photoluminescence switching over cycles. Therefore, this Zn-MOF represents an excellent PL water-sensing material, showing a fast (on the order of seconds) and highly selective response to water on a molecular level. Furthermore, paper or in situ grown ZnO-based sensing films have been fabricated and applied in humidity sensing (RH<1%), detection of traces of water (<0.05% v/v) in various organic solvents, thermal imaging and as a thermometer.

A Multistimuli‐Responsive Photochromic Metal‐Organic Gel

A photochromic metal-organic gel with thermo-, photo-, and anion-responsive behavior is obtained. Unusually, heating of the Al-ligand solution leads to gel formation and cooling to room temperature reverses the process to reform the solution. The gel is sensitive to weakly coordinating anions. Additionally, reversible photochromic transformations take place both in the solution and gel states, accompanied by reversibly switched luminescence.

The construction of coordination networks based on imidazole-based dicarboxylate ligand containing hydroxymethyl group

Reaction of Cd(II), Fe(II), and Cu(II) with a new ligand 2-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid (H4hmIDC) and 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) affords three coordination polymers of {[Cd(H2hmIDC)(bpy)]·0.5bpy·H2O}n (1), [Fe2(HhmIDC)2]n (2), and {[Cu2(ITC)(bpy)(H2O)3]·2.5H2O}n (3) (ITC = imidazole-2,4,5-tricarboxylic acid), respectively. Complex 1 and complex 3 are (4,4) nets in topological view and display in different packing mode, while hydroxymethyl group in complex 3 is oxidized to carboxylic groupin situ. Complex 2 is a rare example of a cdl-e network containing both tetrahedral and square nodes. The hydroxymethyl groups act as a precursor and undergo different reactions directed by metal ions.

Lanthanide homometallic and d–f heterometallic MOFs from the same tripodal ligand: structural comparison, one photon (OP) vs. two photon (TP) luminescence and selective guest adsorption behavior

In this paper, we report the design of a new functionalized tripodal ligand triCB-NTB (4,4′,4′′-(2,2′,2′′-nitrilotris(methylene)tris(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2,1-diyl)tris(methylene))tribenzoic acid) and its assembly of Eu(III) homometallic or Zn(II)-Eu(III) heterometallic lanthanide-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). C3 symmetric Eu(III) center is achieved in the homometallic MOF, [Eu(triCB-NTB)]·DMAc·4H2O (1). The C3 axis of the three coordinated imino N atoms on the propeller-extended central triCB-NTB ligand coincides with the C3 axis that directs the three para-methyl carboxylic benzene arms on three surrounding ligands coordinating with the central Eu(III) simultaneously. Therefore, a (6, 3) pattern is formed in the framework with relatively large porosity. In the Zn-Eu heterometallic framework, [EuZn(triCB-NTB)(H2O)(Cl)2]·2DMAc·H2O (2), the N atoms on the triCB-NTB are coordinated with Zn(II) and the carboxylic O atoms are coordinated with Eu(III). A paddle-wheel linked Eu(III)2 cluster is formed and 1D loop-and-chain structure is obtained. Two ligands, two Zn(II) ions and two Eu(III)2 clusters constitute one box-like unit on the loop chain. Due to the non-inversion symmetry imposed on the central Eu(III) and the large polarizability of the ligand, both one photon (OP) luminescence based on the energy transfer from the ligand to Eu3+ and two photon (TP) luminescence based on the hypersensitive transition of the Eu3+ ions are observed in the two lanthanide-based MOFs. This satisfies the urgent needs of multi-mode luminescent lanthanide complex. Simultaneously, N2 gas and selective vapor adsorptions were also detected in the porous structure of complexes 1 and 2 due to their benzene-filled channels. The six-pointed-star like cavities in 1 can let the gas and vapor molecules go in and out smoothly subject to changes in the pressure, while the narrower and more irregular channels in 2 show irreversible adsorption behavior for benzene and cyclohexane vapor molecules in vacuum under room temperature.

An unusual 3D coordination polymer assembled through parallel interpenetrating and polycatenating of (6,3) nets

Reaction of AgClO4 with a bulky semi-flexible tripodal ligand 2,4,6-tris(4-((pyridin-4-ylthio)methyl)phenyl)-1,3,5-triazine (tppt) affords highly undulating (6,3) honeycomb networks [Ag3(tppt)2](ClO4)3·8DMSO which display unusual net entanglement. Three (6,3) nets interweave in parallel to give rise to a 3-fold interpenetrating basic layer (2D → 2D parallel). In addition, every such layer interlocks four other layers, two above and two below (2D → 3D parallel). Therefore, totally fifteen (6,3) nets are involved in entanglement with respect to each basic layer, in which each single (6,3) net shows 11-fold interpenetration and 5-fold catenation, thus resulting in a novel 3D coordination polymer containing both interpenetration and polycatenation.

Homochiral D4-symmetric metal-organic cages from stereogenic Ru(II) metalloligands for effective enantioseparation of atropisomeric molecules.

Absolute chiral environments are rare in regular polyhedral and prismatic architectures, but are achievable from self-assembly of metal–organic cages/containers (MOCs), which endow us with a promising ability to imitate natural organization systems to accomplish stereochemical recognition, catalysis and separation. Here we report a general assembly approach to homochiral MOCs with robust chemical viability suitable for various practical applications. A stepwise process for assembly of enantiopure ΔΔΔΔΔΔΔΔ- and ΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛ-Pd6(RuL3)8 MOCs is accomplished by pre-resolution of the Δ/Λ-Ru-metalloligand precursors. The obtained Pd–Ru bimetallic MOCs feature in large D4-symmetric chiral space imposed by the predetermined Ru(II)-octahedral stereoconfigurations, which are substitutionally inert, stable, water-soluble and are capable of encapsulating a dozen guests per cage. Chiral resolution tests reveal diverse host–guest stereoselectivity towards different chiral molecules, which demonstrate enantioseparation ability for atropisomeric compounds with C2 symmetry. NMR studies indicate a distinctive resolution process depending on guest exchange dynamics, which is differentiable between host–guest diastereomers.

Assembly of Robust and Porous Hydrogen-Bonded Coordination Frameworks: Isomorphism, Polymorphism, and Selective Adsorption

By using the tripodal ligand ntb (tris(benzimidazole-2-ylmethyl)amine) and lanthanide nitrate, three isomorphous series of coordination frameworks of the general formula [Ln(ntb)(NO(3))(3)]·solvents (series 1: monoclinic C2/c, Ln = Gd(3+) and Yb(3+); series 2: hexagonal P3(1)/c, Ln = Nd(3+), Eu(3+), Gd(3+), and Er(3+); series 3, cubic Pa3̅, Ln = Gd(3+) and Er(3+); solvent = H(2)O or CH(3)OH) have been assembled and characterized with IR, elemental analyses, and single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods. In all isomorphous complexes, analogous [Ln(ntb)(NO(3))(3)] coordination monomers of the same structure act as the building blocks to be assembled via hydrogen bonds into three-dimensional (3D) frameworks. So the complexes of the same lanthanide ion (for example, the Gd(3+) ion) from three isomorphous series form polymorphs, for example, monoclinic polymorph 1-Gd, hexagonal polymorph 2-Gd, and cubic polymorph 3-Gd. The single-crystal analyses revealed that the polymorphism was related to different fashions of hydrogen bonding interactions, which was caused by different crystallization conditions, leading to the formation of different 3D hydrogen-bonded frameworks showing distinct porous and topological structures. The monoclinic and hexagonal crystals contain 1D channels, while the cubic crystal is nonporous. The thermogravimetric analyses indicated that all polymorphic crystals have high thermal stability against the removal of guest molecules, and the robust porosity of the hexagonal crystals has been verified by temperature-dependent single-crystal-to-single-crystal measurements upon guest removal/uptake. The solvents adsorption study disclosed that the porous frameworks show high selectivity of benzene against toluene and xylene, while the gas adsorption measurements indicated a moderate H(2), CO(2), and MeOH storage capacity in contrast to low N(2) uptake. The solid-state photoluminescence of the Eu(3+) and Nd(3+) complexes in the near-infrared and visible region has also been investigated, offering examples with optical properties tunable by means of isomorphous replacement.

Axially chiral metal–organic frameworks produced from spontaneous resolution with an achiral pyridyl dicarboxylate ligand

Three-dimensional chiral (10,3)-c MOFs are generated via symmetry breaking from achiral precursors, 5-(pyridine-3-yl)isophthalic acid and M2+ (M = Cd, Zn, Mn), and chiral transmission from molecular axially chiral conformations to framework chirality is established.