A 2D metal-organic framework with a flexible cyclohexane-1,2,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid ligand: Synthesis, characterization and photoluminescent property

A novel metal-organic framework, [Zn2(OH)(Hcht)(4,4′-bpy)]n·4nH2O (1) (H4cht = cyclohexane-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid and 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine), was synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction of Zn(NO3)2·6H2O, 4,4′-bipyridine, and cyclohexane-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid in the presence of sodium carbonate. The complex was obtained by controlling the ratio of the starting materials and a reaction temperature at 120 °C and was characterized by IR, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, fluorescent spectrum, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Single-crystal X-ray investigation reveals that the structure features a two-dimensional framework with novel coordination mode of Hcht ligand and all Hcht ligands exclusively convert to a sole conformation in the complex. IR spectrum reveals the characteristic absorption peaks of asymmetric stretching vibrations that result from the protonated and deprotonated carboxyl groups. Thermogravimetric analysis shows four clear courses of weight loss, which corresponds to the decomposition of different ligands. Fluorescent spectrum displays that complex 1 is a potential blue-luminescent material.