Sukhendu Mandal

Open‐Framework Structures of Transition‐Metal Compounds

Inorganic framework solids are no longer limited to just the silicates and phosphates. Recent research has revealed that carboxylates, arsenates, sulfates, selenates, selenites, germanates, phosphites can also form such structures. One of the emerging areas combines the rich coordination chemistry of the central metal ions of many of these structures with the flexibility and functionality of the organic linkers to give rise to organic-inorganic hybrid compounds. The compounds of the transition-metals appear to provide many variations arising from their coordination preferences, ligand geometry, and the valence state. In addition, the combination of the magnetic nature of the transition metal center with the channel structure of open frameworks suggests interesting potential applications. In this Review the synthesis, structures and properties of the various transition-metal open-framework compounds are discussed.

Cluster-Assembled Materials: Toward Nanomaterials with Precise Control over Properties

One pathway toward nanomaterials with controllable band gaps is to assemble solids where atomic clusters serve as building blocks, since the electronic structures of clusters vary with size and composition. To study the role of organization in cluster assemblies, we synthesized multiple architectures incorporating As(7)(3-) clusters through control of the countercations. Optical measurements revealed that the band gaps vary from 1.1-2.1 eV, even though the assemblies are constructed from the identical cluster building block. Theoretical studies explain this variation as being a result of altering the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels by changing the countercations. Additional variations in the gap are made by covalently linking the clusters with species of varying electronegativity to alter the degree of charge transfer. These findings offer a general protocol for syntheses of nanoassemblies with tunable electronic properties.

Discriminative detection of nitro aromatic explosives by a luminescent metal–organic framework

Nitro aromatics are the principal components of explosives used in acts of terrorism and within improvised explosive devices, among others. Although high sensitivity towards nitro aromatic explosives has been demonstrated, selective detection and discrimination are critical for practical applications. Fluorescence quenching of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is sufficiently sensitive to detect any nitro explosives, but discriminative detection with different numbers of –NO2 groups is rare. Here we report a stable fluorescent MOF, [Zn2(NDC)2(bpy)]·Gx, 1 (where NDC = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, and G = guest solvent molecules), whose fluorescence is quenched by trace amounts of nitro aromatics introduced from solution or in vapor phase. The steady-state and time-resolved experiments show that the quenching process is dynamic in nature and the interactions (dipole–dipole, π-stacking) between the MOF and nitro explosives play a crucial role in the discriminative detection of nitro aromatics with different numbers of –NO2 groups.

Controlling Band Gap Energies in Cluster-Assembled Ionic Solids through Internal Electric Fields

Assembling ionic solids where clusters are arranged in different architectures is a promising strategy for developing band gap-engineered nanomaterials. We synthesized a series of cluster-assembled ionic solids composed of [As(7)-Au(2)-As(7)](4-) in zero-, one-, and two-dimensional architectures. Higher connectivity is expected to decrease the band gap energy through band broadening. However, optical measurements indicate that the band gap energy increases from 1.69 to 1.98 eV when moving from zero- to two-dimensional assemblies. This increase is a result of the local electric fields generated by the adjacent counterions, which preferentially stabilize the occupied cluster electronic states.

Synthesis, Structure, and Polymorphism Studies in Amine-Templated Open-Framework Zinc Phosphites

Five new zinc phosphites, [C10N4H26][Zn2(HPO3)4].2H2O, 1, [C10N4H26][Zn5(H2O)4(HPO3)6].4H2O, 2, [C10N4H26][Zn4(HPO3)6].2H2O, 3, [C10N4H26][Zn4(HPO3)6].2H2O, 4, and [Zn2(HPO3)2(C10N4H24)], 5, were synthesized employing solvo/hydrothermal reactions in the presence of 1,4-bis (3-aminopropyl) piperazine (APPIP). Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies indicate that all the compounds form a hierarchy of structures. While the structures 1 and 2 are low-dimensional, 3-5 have three-dimensional connectivity. ZnO4 and HPO3 units form a 4-membered ring and are connected through their corners forming a one-dimensional chain structure in 1. 2 has one-dimensional ladders connected by ZnO2(H2O)4 octahedral units forming a layer with 4- and 8-membered apertures. Compounds 3 and 4 have similar molecular formulae and connectivity, which makes them polymorphic in nature. The amine molecules exist in gauche and all-trans form in 3 and 4, respectively. The amine molecule binds with the zinc center in 5 and acts as a pillar between the two zinc phosphite layers. The present study outlines the possible role of synthesis parameters for the isolation of a number of different structures by employing a single amine molecule, APPIP. The observation of polymorphic structures along with the interconvertibilities of one of the phases is important and noteworthy. The 31P chemical shifts observed in NMR studies, consistent with the single crystal data, have been correlated with the valence sum values of the oxygen that are bound with the distinct phosphorus.

Complete Transmetalation in a Metal-Organic Framework by Metal Ion Metathesis in a Single Crystal for Selective Sensing of Phosphate Ions in Aqueous Media.

A complete transmetalation has been achieved on a barium metal-organic framework (MOF), leading to the isolation of a new Tb-MOF in a single-crystal (SC) to single-crystal (SC) fashion. It leads to the transformation of an anionic framework with cations in the pore to one that is neutral. The mechanistic studies proposed a core-shell metal exchange through dissociation of metal-ligand bonds. This Tb-MOF exhibits enhanced photoluminescence and acts as a selective sensor for phosphate anion in aqueous medium. Thus, this work not only provides a method to functionalize a MOF that can have potential application in sensing but also elucidates the formation mechanism of the resulting MOF.

Synthesis and structural characterization of an atom-precise bimetallic nanocluster, Ag4Ni2(DMSA)4.

A bimetallic ligand-protected cluster, Ag(4)Ni(2)(DMSA)(4) (DMSA = meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) was synthesized and characterized through electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy. Such bimetallic clusters involving a noble metal and a first-row transition metal have not been previously reported. Theoretical calculations revealed an octahedral structure with silver atoms occupying the corners of the square plane and the nickel atoms at the apexes. Close agreement between the predicted and observed spectroscopic features was found.

The use of hydrothermal methods in the synthesis of novel open-framework materials

The preparation of inorganic compounds, exhibiting open-framework structures, by hydrothermal methods has been presented. To illustrate the efficacy of this approach, few select examples encompassing a wide variety and diversity in the structures have been provided. In all the cases, good quality single crystals were obtained, which were used for the elucidation of the structure. In the first example, simple inorganic network compounds based on phosphite and arsenate are described. In the second example, inorganic-organic hybrid compounds involving phosphite/arsenate along with oxalate units are presented. In the third example, new coordination polymers with interesting structures are given. The examples presented are representative of the type and variety of compounds one can prepare by careful choice of the reaction conditions.

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of an inorganic–organic hybrid compound

Hydrothermal reaction of a mixture of

The Zintl ion [As7]2-: An example of an electron-deficient Asx radical anion

MnC_2O_4, H_3PO_3