The {Cu2I2} cluster bearing metal organic frameworks: crystal structures and fluorescence detecting performances towards cysteine and explosive molecules

Two {Cu2I2} cluster-bearing metal organic frameworks (MOFs) of {[Eu(CuI)(2)(INA)(3)DMF]0.95DMF}(n) (Eu-CuI-INA) and {K[(CH3)(2)NH2]Sr-4(INA)(2)(DMF)(2){(Cu2I2)(2)(INA)(8)}2H(2)O}(n) (Sr-K-CuI-INA, HINA = isonicotinic acid, DMF = N,N-dimethyl formamide) were prepared and characterized in this work. Both materials feature a three-dimensional (3-D) structure, in which the {Cu2I2} clusters and Eu3+ (or Sr2+) metal ions are coordinated by INA(-) ligands with pyridine and carboxylic groups, respectively. Impressively, Sr-K-CuI-INA exhibits sensitive fluorescence sensing behaviors towards cysteine and nitro-bearing molecules, demonstrating potential FL sensing applications for bio and explosive molecules. This work would provide a good reference for designing fluorescent MOF probes containing CuI molecules.

Automated summary

In this work, two metal organic frameworks (MOFs) containing {Cu2I2} clusters, Eu-CuI-INA and Sr-K-CuI-INA, were synthesized and characterized. Both materials have a three-dimensional structure with {Cu2I2} clusters coordinated by INA(-) ligands and Eu3+ or Sr2+ ions. The Sr-K-CuI-INA material exhibited sensitive fluorescence sensing behaviors towards cysteine and nitro-bearing molecules, showing potential applications in bio and explosive molecule sensing. This work provides a good reference for designing fluorescent MOF probes containing CuI molecules.