Recognition of harmful fused aromatic hydrocarbons via a metal-organic framework with hydrophobic pores

A novel metal-organic framework (MOF) with a π-conjugated porous condition is reported to sensor fused aromatic hydrocarbons molecules. This MOF assembled by N-heterocyclic multi-carboxyl ligand and Cd ions shows hexagonal hydrophobic channels along [100] and [010] directions with size 18.4 × 15.5 Å2. Under immersing this MOF in the solutions containing aromatic hydrocarbon, including anthracene, phenanthrene within different time, the luminescent intensity of MOF enhanced different degree upon encapsulating aromatic hydrocarbons guest molecules.93