A novel Cu(I)-based two-dimensional (2D, 4 4 net) metal−organic framework (MOF) [Cu(L)(I)] 2n •2nDMF• nMeCN (1); L = 4′-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,2′:6′,4″-terpyridine; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide, MeCN = acetonitrile) has been synthesized and found to behave as a colorimetric detector for the widest variety of small molecules such as different solvents, halobenzenes, N-heterocycles, amine, and nitroaromatic explosives all in vapor phase through a single crystal to single crystal (SCSC) transformation. The 2D 4 4 nets are interdigitated with each other to form a supramolecular 3D MOF having 1D pore. The interdigitated layers are stabilized by π•••π interactions and CH•••π interactions and provide extreme stability up to 380 °C. Interestingly, all guest exchange and encapsulation processes are reversible without loss of structural integrity. Positions of the guest molecules in the host−guest complex have been identified from the crystal structure and found to involve weak interactions with the framework. Notably, this is the first time for a report of any material which encapsulates such a large number of small molecules in the vapor phase from different chemical classes in SCSC fashion with visible color changes. Tests confirm the selectivity toward most polar molecule in a class. In the presence of guest molecules, the MOF exhibits a blue shift in fluorescence emission spectra and the extent of the blue shift is appreciably high. It also shows high selectivity toward diethylamine (dea) among N-heterocycles, amine, and highly explosive trinitrophenol (TNP) among nitroaromatic explosives as revealed from concurrent luminescence quenching in solution. Finally, the MOF represents one of the best hosts reported so far having extreme stability and selectivity and meets the benchmark of reversibility for material applications.

A Zn(II) based luminescent metal organic framework is synthesized, which acts as a dual functional fluorescent sensor to selectively detect picric acid and palladium(II).

A transition-metal-free synthetic method has been developed for the synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl chalcogenides (S, Se, and Te) from diaryl dichalcogenides and arenes under oxidative conditions by using potassium persulfate at room temperature. Variously substituted arenes such as anisole, thioanisole, diphenyl ether, phenol, naphthol, di- and trimethoxy benzenes, xylene, mesitylene, N,N-dimethylaniline, bromine-substituted arenes, naphthalene, and diaryl dichalcogenides underwent carbon-chalcogen bond-forming reaction to give unsymmetrical diaryl chalcogenides in trifluoroacetic acid. To understand the mechanistic part of the reaction, a detailed in situ characterization of the intermediates has been carried out by (77)Se NMR spectroscopy by using diphenyl diselenide as the substrate. (77)Se NMR study suggests that electrophilic species ArE(+) is generated by the reaction of diaryl dichalcogenide with persulfate in trifluoroacetic acid. The electrophilic attack of arylchalcogenium ion on the arene may be responsible for the formation of the aryl-chalcogen bond.

We report the proton conduction properties of a 2D flexible MOF and a 1D coordination polymer having the molecular formulas {[Zn(C10H2O8)0.5(C10S2N2H8)]·5H2O]}n (1) and {[Zn(C10H2O8)0.5(C10S2N2H8)]·2H2O]}n (2), respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 show high conductivity values of 2.55 × 10(-7) and 4.39 × 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 80 °C and 95% RH. The conductivity value of compound 1 is in the range of those for previously reported flexible MOFs, and compound 2 shows the highest proton conductivity among the carboxylate-based 1D CPs. The dimensionality and the internal hydrogen bonding connectivity play a vital role in the resultant conductivity. Variable-temperature experiments of both compounds at high humidity reveal that the conductivity values increase with increasing temperature, whereas the variable humidity studies signify the influence of relative humidity on high-temperature proton conductivity. The time-dependent measurements for both compounds demonstrate their ability to retain conductivity up to 10 h.

Two new lanthanide-based 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Ln(L)(Ox)(HO)]·xHO} [Ln = Gd and x = 3 (1) and Dy and x = 1.5 (2); HL = mucic acid; OxH = oxalic acid] showing interesting magnetic properties and channel-mediated proton conduction behavior, are presented here. Single-crystal X-ray structure analysis shows that, in complex 1, the overall structure originates from the mucate-bridged gadolinium-based rectangular metallocycles. The packing view reveals the presence the two types of hydrophilic 1D channels filled with lattice water molecules, which are strongly hydrogen-bonded with coordinated water along the a and b axes, whereas for complex 2, the 3D framework originates from a carboxylate-bridged dysprosium-based criss-cross-type secondary building block. Magnetic studies reveal that 1 exhibits a significant magnetic entropy change (-ΔS) of 30.6 J kg K for ΔH= 7 T at 3 K. Our electronic structure calculations under the framework of density functional theory reveal that exchange interactions between Gd ions are weak and of the antiferromagnetic type. Complex 2 shows field-induced single-molecule-magnetic behavior. Impedance analysis shows that the proton conductivity of both complexes reaches up to the maximum value of 4.7 × 10 S cm for 1 and 9.06 × 10 S cm for 2 at high temperature (>75 °C) and relative humidity (RH; 95%). The Monte Carlo simulations confirm the exact location of the adsorbed water molecules in the framework after humidification (RH = 95%) for 1. Further, the results from computational simulation also reveal that the presence of a more dense arrangement of adsorbed water molecules through hydrogen bonding in a particular type of channel (along the a axis) contributes more to the proton migration compared to the other channel (along the b axis) in the framework.

Two isostructural densely packed squarato-bridged lanthanide-based 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) [Ln5(μ3-OH)5(μ3-O)(CO3)2(HCO2)2(C4O4)(H2O)2] [Ln = Gd (1) and Dy (2)] show giant cryogenic magnetic refrigeration (for 1) and slow magnetic relaxation (for 2). The structural analyses reveal the presence of a self-assembled crown-shaped building unit with a cubane-based rectangular moiety that leads to a special array of metal centers in 3D space in the complexes. Magnetic investigations confirm that complex 1 exhibits one of the largest cryogenic magnetocaloric effects among the molecular magnetic refrigerant materials reported so far (-ΔSm = 64.0 J kg(-1) K(-1) for ΔH = 9 T at 3 K). The cryogenic cooling effect (of 1) is also quite comparable with that of the commercially used magnetic refrigerant gadolinium-gallium garnet, whereas for complex 2, slow relaxation of magnetization was observed below 10 K.

Two isostructural lanthanide-based 3D coordination networks [Ln = Gd(3+) (1), Dy(3+)(2)] with densely packed distorted cuboid nanoscopic cages are reported for the first time. Magnetic characterization reveals that complex 1 shows a significant cryogenic magnetocaloric effect (-ΔSm = 44 J kg(-1) K(-1)), whereas 2 shows slow relaxation of magnetization.

A new 2D Gd(III)-based coordination polymer has close to the highest cryogenic magnetocaloric effect of any MOF reported so far. The experimental results reveal its structural features and magnetic properties.