Multifunctional Zinc Metal–Organic Framework Based on Designed H4TCPP Ligand with Aggregation-Induced Emission Effect: CO2 Adsorption, Luminescence, and Sensing Property

A new rigid and symmetrical tetracarboxylic ligand 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)pyrazine (H4TCPP) with aggregation-induced emission effect has been designed and synthesized. By using such a ligand, a novel multifunctional metal–organic framework Zn-TCPP has been successfully constructed. The cross-linkage of dinuclear Zn2(COO)4 clusters and organic TCPP4– ligands results in the three-dimensional channel structure of Zn-TCPP, which has a four connected lvt topology with the point symbol of {42.84}. Zn-TCPP not only displays bright blue luminescence arising from the matrix coordination-induced emission effect of the TCPP4– ligand, but also exhibits effective detection for picric acid and Fe3+ ions. In addition, the activated Zn-TCPP possesses a highly porous framework with a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 984 m2 g–1 and CO2 adsorption capacity up to 135 cm3 g–1 at 273 K and 732 mmHg. This work represents a successful example of constructing metal–organic frameworks with desired functions based on the designed organic ligand.