An unprecedented stable self-penetrating metal-organic framework with solvent-dependent luminescence properties

•A fascinating 3D pillared-layer MOF has been synthesized.•1 displays an unprecedented uninodal seven-connected self-penetrating network.•1 exhibits excellent solvent-dependent luminescence properties.

A fascinating 3D pillared-layer structure, namely [Cd3(bpea)2(trz)2(H2O)2]·DMF (1), has been isolated under hydrothermal condition by reaction of cadmium salt, biphenylethene-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid (bpea) and 1,2,4-triazole (Htrz). Compound 1 presents an unusual self-penetrating network displaying uninodal seven-connected {414·5·66} topology with trinuclear cadmium clusters as seven-connected nodes, which exhibited exceptional resistance to acid/base aqueous solutions. Furthermore, solvent-dependent luminescence properties of 1 were investigated, and the results showed that 1 could serve as a potential luminescent sensor in detecting traces of the target species, such as toluene and nitrobenzene.

Graphical abstractA pillared-layer MOF defines an unprecedented self-penetrating topology for seven-connected networks, and exhibits excellent solvent-dependent luminescence properties.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide