Inorganic–organic framework complexes based on 5-((4-carboxybenzyl)oxy) isophthalic acid: Photoelectric properties and potential nitrobenzene sensing

• Syntheses and crystal structures of two complexes based on the rigid–flexible mixed ligand.
• The summary and comparison of coordination modes of the ligand H3L.
• High-sensitivity luminescent sensing functions for nitrobenzene.
• Photoelectric behavior as p-type semiconductors.

Two complexes {[Cd3(1,10-phen)3(HL)3]·4.5H2O (1) and Co(1,10-phen)2(H2L)2 (2) {H3L = 5-((4-carboxybenzyl)oxy)isophthalic acid, 1,10-phen = phenanthroline)} based on the rigid–flexible mixed tripodal ligand 5-((4-carboxybenzyl)oxy)isophthalic acid were synthesized in the presence of auxiliary ligands under hydrothermal condition. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that complexes 1 and 2 exhibited a one-dimensional framework and a clustered structure, respectively, while both the complexes presented three-dimensional supermolecular network structures at last by the interaction of the hydrogen bonds. Both of complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. In addition, the surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) and electric-field-induced surface photovoltage spectroscopy (EFISPS) showed that complexes 1 and 2 could behave as p-type semiconductors. The photoluminescent (PL) results showed that complex 1 displayed high-sensitivity luminescent sensing function for nitrobenzene.

Two complexes based on the rigid–flexible mixed tripodal ligand 5-((4-carboxybenzyl)oxy) isophthalic acid (H3L) and an auxiliary ligand have been synthesized. What’s more, the photoluminescent (PL) results showed that complex 1 displayed high-sensitivity luminescent sensing functions for nitrobenzene. The surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) and electric-field-induced surface photovoltage spectroscopy (EFISPS) showed that complexes 1 and 2 could behave as p-type semiconductors.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide