A bi-functional luminescent Zn(II)-MOF for detection of nitroaromatic explosives and Fe3+ ions

Abstract A luminescent Zn(II) metal-organic framework (MOF), [Zn3(L)2(bipy)(μ3-OH)2]·3H2O (1) (bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, H2L = 9H-carbazolyl-3,6-dicarboxylic acid) was obtained by the reaction of a rigid ligand H2L and Zn(II) ions. Compound 1 possesses an interesting 3D network with [Zn9(μ3-OH)6(CO2)12] units as eighteen-connected nodes. Particularly, 1 shows highly sensitive response to nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) and Fe3+ ions through fluorescence quenching. At the same time, 1 can be easily recycled by washing with N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF) or distilled water after sensing studies, indicating that it can be reused easily. Furthermore, the possible detection mechanisms have also been discussed.