A robust luminescent Ba (II) metal–organic framework based on pyridine carboxylate ligand for sensing of small molecules

•One Ba-MOF based on a new pyridine carboxylic ligand (H2L) was obtained.•The MOF consists of left- and right-handed-helical chiral sheets to generate 3D framework.•The MOF exhibit an interesting fluorescent property for sensing of small molecules.

Solvothermal reaction of Ba(NO3)2 with 5-(4-(2,6-di(pyridin-4-yl)pyridin-4-yl)phenoxy) isophthalic acid (H2L) afforded the first metal–organic framework based on L2 − ligand, [Ba2L2(H2O)3]n·5.5nH2O (1). Single crystal X-ray analysis shows that MOF 1 features a novel 3D supramolecular network built by different monochiral sheets. The luminescence intensity of this MOF can be modulated by different organic solvents.

Graphical abstractOne new Ba-MOF was synthesized based on H2L ligand for sensing of small molecules. The MOF consisted of left- and right-handed-helical chiral sheets, and the adjacent sheets are further linked by inter-sheet hydrogen bonds to generate a 3D supramolecular achiral network.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide