Luminescent sensing of a new 8-connected topological metal-organic framework

•1 is rare 4,4,8-connected (46)(45 · 6)(411 · 615 · 82) topology.•1 could be a prospective candidate for developing luminescence sensors.•The quenching effect has been confirmed by theoretical calculations.

A new metal–organic framework having formula {[Cd3(H2O)(L)2][Cd(im)3(H2O)2]·3 H2O} (H4L = 5-bis(4-carbonylbenzyl)aminoisophthalic acid and im = imidazole) (1) has been synthesized. X-ray investigation reveals that 1 is rare 4,4,8-connected (46)(45 · 6)(411 · 615 · 82) topology. The present work indicates that 1 could be a prospective candidate for developing novel luminescence sensors for the selective sensing of nitrobenzene which can be used as a precursor for explosives. Furthermore, the luminescent property of 1 in different solvents analytes as well as nitrobenzene have been investigated and the observed quenching in fluorescence have been corroborated by theoretical calculations.

Graphical abstractAn unusual 4,4,8-connected topology of 1 was designed. This study shows that 1 could be a useful luminescent sensor for metal ions and organic small molecules.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide