Photochemical Activation of a Metal–Organic Framework to Reveal Functionality

Abstract

Seeing the light: Two highly porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) were transformed using UV light to produce MOFs with hydroxy and catechol groups through an unusual postsynthetic deprotection reaction (see scheme).

Towards Mesostructured Zinc Imidazolate Frameworks

“…The chemical diversity of imidazolate-derived ligands containing functional groups renders zinc imidazolates inherently functional, as opposed to pure mesoporous silica architectures. Whereas the latter typically have to be converted into their surface-modified analogues by post-functionalization, [20,21] the corresponding mesostructured zinc imidazolates bear functional groups already homogeneously attached to the framework.…”

Two-Photon Responsive Metal–Organic Framework

“…[18][19][20][21] Photochemical reactions can also provide an alternative way to introduce functional groups/moieties and thus to develop smart MOFs with switchable optical absorption and fluorescence properties. [21][22][23][24][25] Because the light triggers the reactions in a one-photon process in these examined systems, we were not able to develop their spatial selectivity: the photochemical responses take place either on the surfaces or in the whole crystals of MOFs. It is essential to engineer the properties of MOFs using the light or laser in 3-dimensional (3D) structure, which would create functional patterns inside the MOF crystals and find applications in chemical sensors, optical switches, data storage and circuits.…”

“…Light responsive MOFs, whose chemical and structural changes can be controlled merely by mild condition-light irradiation, have shown intriguing properties, and thus recently received great interest. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] For example, light can induce configuration transformations of the linkers/guests, thus to tune the pores of MOFs and enhance their gas separation performances. [18][19][20][21] Photochemical reactions can also provide an alternative way to introduce functional groups/moieties and thus to develop smart MOFs with switchable optical absorption and fluorescence properties.…”

Exploitation of Guest Accessible Aliphatic Amine Functionality of a Metal–Organic Framework for Selective Detection of 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol (TNP) in Water

“…32,35,[52][53][54][55][56] In this regard, instead of solubilization of the probe, water-stability is a unique feature exhibited by some of the new-generation functional materials like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs); [57][58][59][60] wherein the inherent porous franework remains unaffected in water, even after prolonged exposure for the specific waterstable MOFs. Apart from their well-recognized multifarious applications in the microporous domain; [61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78] MOFs have established themselves as excellent sensory materials because of the unmatched combination of crystallinity, permanent porosity, and designable pores with tailored window-sizes, systematically tunable band gaps and electronic structures. [79][80][81][82][83][84][85] In general, favourable interactions between target analyte and MOF backbone result into the observed PL-sensing performance for MOFs.…”