Series metal–organic frameworks constructed from 1,10-phenanthroline and 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid: Hydrothermal synthesis, luminescence and photocatalytic properties

•Five metal–organic frameworks are potential wide gap semi-conductive materials.•The luminescence properties and photocatalytic activities of complexes 1–5 have been studied.•Complexes 2 and 5 can be used as photocatalysts to degrade organic dye under UV light irradiation.

Five novel metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on d10 metals, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid (H4bptc), namely, [M(phen)3(H3bptc)2] (M = Co (1), Ni (2), Zn (3), Cd (4)) and [Mn(phen)2(Hbptc)]·5H2O (5) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. [M(phen)3(H3bptc)2] consists of discrete cationic [M(phen)3]2+ and H3bptc− anion, forming 3D frameworks with the aid of hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. While, the zigzag Mn(phen)2(Hbptc) chains was linked into 3D frameworks with the aid of rich hydrogen-bonding interactions. The luminescence properties and optical energy gaps of complexes 1–5 have been studied. In addition, complexes 2 and 5 exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance for decomposition of organic dye under UV light irradiation.

Graphical abstractFive metal–organic frameworks constructed from 1,10-phenanthroline, 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid and different transitional metals.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide