Xiaochen Shan

A multi-metal-cluster MOF with Cu4I4 and Cu6S6 as functional groups exhibiting dual emission with both thermochromic and near-IR character

Two classical metal clusters, CuI4I4 and CuI6S6, are introduced as functional connecting nodes to construct a novel multi-metal-cluster MOF [(CuI4I4)3(CuI6)2(3-ptt)12]n·24nDEF·12nH2O (1) that incorporate their inherent luminescent properties, induced by their respective metal–metal interactions. These two distinct clusters are combined together for the first time to perform as functional luminophores that display unusual dual emission with both thermochromic luminescence and near-infrared (NIR) character.

Full-colour fluorescent materials based on mixed-lanthanide(III) metal–organic complexes with high-efficiency white light emission

In this communication, we report a series of high-efficiency full-colour fluorescent materials based on isostructural mixed-lanthanide metal–organic complexes. By varying the stoichiometric ratio of the lanthanide ions, a fluent change of emission colours within the full-colour region was realized and strong white light-emission with a high quantum yield up to 62% was also achieved.

A highly luminescent chameleon: fine-tuned emission trajectory and controllable energy transfer

By varying the stoichiometric ratio of Eu3+, Tb3+ and Gd3+ ions in a lanthanide metal–organic framework, a mixed-Ln MOF, [Eu0.0040Tb0.0460Gd0.9500(BTB)(DMSO)2]·H2O, has been designed to display white-light emission. In addition, the switch between blue, white, and yellow for this material has been achieved by controlling the energy transfer process.

Using cuprophilicity as a multi-responsive chromophore switching color in response to temperature, mechanical force and solvent vapors

A novel strategy is provided in this paper to design multi-stimuli-responsive luminescent materials by taking a multi-responsive chromophore which responds to multiple environmental stimuli instead of constructing multi-chromophore systems. Herein, we have successfully prepared a tri-stimuli-responsive luminescent material, [Cu4I4(4-dpda)4] (1), with reversible and independent thermochromism, mechanochromism and vapochromism simultaneously by applying cuprophilic interactions as a multi-responsive chromophore. The organic ligand 4-dpda is chosen to amplify the perturbation toward metallophilic interations for steric hindrance, and many of the molecular interactions of its multi-phenyl moieties are sensitive to tiny disturbances and will translate the effects to the Cu4I4 core of compound 1. Structural and spectrographic investigations show that the changes in luminescence result from the disturbed cuprophilic interactions.

Two dual-emissive Zn(II) coordination polymers with tunable photoluminescence properties

Two novel dual-emissive coordination polymers [Zn2(Hcpop)2(dpe)(H2O)]n·ndpe (1) and [Zn4(cpop)2(dpe)2(μ-OH)2]n·ndpe (2) (H3cpop = 4-(4-carboxyphenoxy)phthalate acid, dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene) have been designed and synthesized as promising luminescent materials, which exhibit tunable fluorescence by varying the excitation wavelength.

The 3D porous metal–organic frameworks based on bis(pyrazinyl)–trizole: structures, photoluminescence and gas adsorption properties

Two novel 3D porous metal–organic frameworks, {[Zn2(bpt)(btc)]·4H2O}n (1) and {[Cd2(bpt)(btc)(H2O)]·(DMA)2}n (2) (DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide), were prepared based on 3,5-bis(pyrazinyl)-1,2,4-trizole (Hbpt) with the auxiliary ligand 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H3btc). Complex 1 could be described as a (3,6)-connected binodal 3D network with rutile topology and Schlafli symbol of (4.62)2(42.610.83), where its coordination framework exhibits a high thermal stability up to 420 °C as well as excellent boiling-water resistance. Complex 2 shows a (3,6,8)-connected trinodal 3D framework with a Schlafli symbol of (4.62)2(414.612.82)(44.610.8), which has not been reported previously. Interestingly, the gas-adsorption investigation discloses that complex 1 possesses a high enthalpy of H2 adsorption (9.6 kJ mol−1). Intensive solid-state fluorescence spectra of complexes 1 and 2 have also been determined.

Absolute helicity induction: chiral information transfer from metal centre to the framework

Pseudo-achiral metal-centre driven spontaneous resolution occurred simultaneously in the formation of two Δ- and Λ-isomers of [CdBa(OBA)2(DMF)(CH3OH)(H2O)]·H2O (H2OBA = 4,4′-oxybis(benzoic acid)), which illustrated a clear relationship between chirality and helicity: the absolute sense of a double-helix made of achiral components is induced by metal centres in the two enantiomeric forms.

An unusual highly connected 3D net with hydrophilic pore surface

An unusual highly connected 3D framework, [K2Cd3(OBA)4(H2O)2(DMF)2](H2O)2 (1) that contains three windows along separate dimensions, has been constructed from a flexible V-shaped ligand 4,4′-oxydibenzoic acid (H2OBA) and a infinite linear {K2Cd3(COO)8}n cluster under solvothermal conditions. Owing to the existence of a polar Ccarboxyl–Ocore–Ccarboxyl moiety in the ligand and the coordinated hydrophilic DMF molecule, a hydrophilic environment is generated at the pore surface. Compound 1 shows high adsorption capacity for polar molecules, such as methanol (7.83%), ethanol (7.13%) and water (13.37%), but exhibits very low uptake capacity for non-polar molecules like methane (0.49%) and cyclohexane (0.68%). Furthermore, its luminescent properties including the quantum yield and lifetime value have also been investigated.