Design, synthesis and luminescence properties of a new Zn(II)-tetracarboxylate metal–organic framework

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are an interesting category of crystalline porous materials, composed of metal nodes/clusters and organic linkers. MOFs have attracted much attention in separation science, gas storage, catalysis, drug delivery systems, and as synthetic precursors of porous materials [1]. More recently, metal-organic frameworks are introduced as luminescent sensors due to their unique crystallinity, tunable porosity and structural diversity [2,3]. Among a number of ligands have been used in the structure of MOFs, multi-carboxylate linkers are an important family of O-donor ligands for the construction of MOFs with fascination architectures and properties.The present work demonstrates the design and synthesis of a new zinc(II)-tetracarboxylate metal–organic framework and its potential sensing applications. The Zn-MOF, namely, [Zn4(H4L)(DMSO)2]n was prepared via the reaction of zinc(II) nitrate and a tetracarboxylate ligand under solvothermal condition. The title compound was characterized by FT-IR, CHNS, TGA, PXRD, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, (bio)sensing behavior of the Zn-MOF in detection of some drugs has been studied.