Perylenediimide-based metal–organic frameworks: structural, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical characterisation

The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical behaviour of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using a perylene diimide (PDI) based ligand is reported. Through suitable functionalisation, a PDI-based ligand is made soluble, allowing successful synthesis of two MOFs in combination with cobalt dicarboxylate paddlewheel secondary building units. Spectroelectrochemical techniques are used to probe the electrochemical and optical behaviour of the MOFs demonstrating that the properties of the perylene diimide are maintained by the MOF, facilitating electrochromic behaviour.