A cationic copper(I) iodide cluster MOF exhibiting unusual ligand assisted thermochromism

By employing a tridentate thiophosphoramide ligand, [(NHAQ)(3)P=S] (AQ = 3-quinolinyl), a cationic MOF, 1 {[ Cu6I5(L-1)(2)](OH)center dot 3DMF center dot 2.5-MOF} n, was synthesized. Photo-physical studies on the 2D-MOF 1 showed an unusual thermochromic behaviour emitting a blue fluorescence at 298 K due to the AQ chromophore and an orangeyellow phosphorescence at 77 K due to the [Cu6I5](+) unit.