Crystal Structures and Luminescent Probe Behaviors of Three-Dimensional Zn(II) Frameworks with Multicarboxylate and Tetradentate Imidazole-Containing Ligands

Three novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) [Zn-2(tipe)(bpt)(H(2)bpt)]center dot MeOH center dot 9H(2)O (1), [Zn-2(tipe)(tpe)]center dot 3MeOH center dot 13H(2)O (2), and [Zn-2 (tipe)(1.5) (AIP)](NO3)(2)center dot 7DMA center dot 7H(2)O (3) (DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide, MeOH = methanol) were synthesized by reactions of zinc(II) salt with organic ligands of 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-(imidazol-1-yOphenyl)ethene (tipe) and biphenyl-3,4',5-tricarboxylic acid (H(3)bpt), tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)ethene (H(4)tpe), or 5-aminoisophthalic acid (H(2)AIP). Crystal structural determination revealed that they are distinct three-dimensional (3D) frameworks with varied porous structures and topologies. Interestingly, MOFs 1 and 2 show strong luminescence in ethanol and DMF suspension and can be used as chemical sensors for detecting antibiotics and nitroaromatic compounds, respectively. In addition, MOF 3 can emit white light by encapsulating organic dye molecules into the voids of the framework.