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Recently, the detection of amino acids has attracted considerable attention in the field of nutrition analysis, health monitoring, and medical diagnosis due to their significance for organisms. In this work, two novel Cd(II)-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with the formulas [Cd(bib)2(SiF6)]n (1) and {[Cd(bib)2(SiF6)]·DMF·3H2O}n (2, bib = 1-(4-imidazol-1-ylphenyl)imidazole) were synthesized and exhibited fluorescence sensing capacity for arginine. In spite of having the same framework composition, complexes 1 and 2 showed great differences in their structure originating in the variations between the coordination modes of SiF62− with Cd2+ and the extension direction of the Cd-bib coordination complexes. Structural analysis manifested that complex 1 featured a 3D coordination framework constructed from 2D Cd-bib coordination layers bridged by SiF62− anions, while complex 2 possessed 3-fold interpenetrated Cd-bib coordination networks connected by SiF62− anions. Furthermore, fluorescence sensing experiments exhibited that both complexes 1 and 2 could be used as fluorescence probes for arginine and the emission intensities of complexes 1 and 2 could be enhanced up to 10.3 and 12.0 times that of the initial emission intensities upon the addition of Arg, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective adsorption/separation of C2 hydrocarbons has been realized in a "flexible-robust" MOF, Zn2(Atz)2Ox. Owing to the distinctive guest-dependent multistep adsorption behaviors and suitable guest–framework interactions, this MOF shows outstanding separation performance for C2H2/C2H4 mixtures in a wide range of temperature confirmed by a column breakthrough experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6])-based metal–organic rotaxane networks (MORNs) were successfully obtained by tuning the coordination sphere of metal copper clusters. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited relatively high proton conductivity at 85 °C and 97% relative humidity (RH), providing great promise for fuel cell electrolyte materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrimination between cysteine and homocysteine at the single-molecule level is achieved within a K238Q mutant aerolysin nanopore, which provides a confined space for high spatial resolution to identify the amino acid difference with a 5′-benzaldehyde poly(dA)4 probe. Our strategy allows potential detection and characterization of various amino acids and their modifications, and provides a crucial step towards developing nanopore protein sequencing devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new high-dimensional cucurbit[6]-based metal–organic rotaxane frameworks [Co2(PR43)(BDC)2Cl2]·4H2O (1), [Co2(PR43)(BTC)2]·6H2O (2) and [Co2(PR43)(BPT)2]·20H2O (3) were obtained via the hydrothermal synthesis method. Compound 1 comprised a two-dimensional layered structure, while compounds 2 and 3 exhibited three-dimensional pillared structures. All the compounds showed good thermal stabilities. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of compounds 1–3 were also investigated in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luminescent hybrid materials based on nanodiamonds (NDs) and rare earth ions have been successfully synthesized by covalently modifying NDs with pyromellitic acid (PMA) which is capable of coordinating to Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions. With NDs acting as a host matrix, the PMA and rare earth ions serve as an organic sensitizer and activator, respectively, yielding a highly bright hybrid composite. Interestingly, for the co-doped hybrid composites ND-PMA-Eu/Tb, the intensity ratio of the two emissions, 5D4→7F5 transition (Tb3+) to 5D0→7F2 transition (Eu3+), is linearly related to temperature in the range from 77 K to 277 K. Therefore, the hybrid could be developed as a self-calibrated ratiometric luminescent thermometer due to its temperature-dependent luminescence performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covering: 2000 to 2018 (October) Trillions of microbes, collectively termed as gut microbiota, reside in the gastrointestinal tract and are involved in the physiology of their hosts. In humans, disease incidence and medical therapy are found to be associated with gut microbiota composition. Since ethnomedicines are largely plant-derived and orally ingested, this review summarizes the interactions of gut microbiota with ethnomedicine constituents (overwhelmingly, natural phytochemicals) to highlight the knowledge accumulation in (1) the modulation of the gut microbiota profile by ingested natural compounds, and (2) the gut microbial conversion of natural products into the ‘daughter molecules’ with potent bioactivities. By understanding such complex interactions of gut microbiota with ethnomedicines and/or the phytochemicals thereof, a fascinating frontier of natural-product chemistry may be substantially activated to conceptualize future therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A top-down method was developed to synthesize hierarchical composites consisting of NiCo2O4 nanocubes and graphene nanosheets through the electrostatic interaction of negatively charged graphene oxide nanosheets and positively charged NiCo2O4 spheres. Employed as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the hierarchical composites exhibit remarkably high electrochemical performance, including large reversible capacity, superior rate capability, and excellent cycling performance. Large reversible capacities of 1024 and 648 mA h g−1 are maintained at a current density of 500 and 3000 mA g−1, respectively, for over 200 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance of the composite is attributed to the synergistic effect of the hierarchical structure, the well dispersed NiCo2O4 nanocubes and the uniform graphene coating. This work provides an effective and promising strategy for the rational structural design of the metal oxide electrode material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first CB[6]-based 3D porous metal–organic rotaxane framework is constructed by the reaction of CuCl2, terephthalic (H2BDC) and CB[6]-based [2]pseudorotaxanes ([PR44]2+·2[PF6]−) under solvothermal conditions. The structure of MORF-1 is a pillared-layer structure with 5-connected sqp topology, in which the effective free volume is 45.4% of the crystal volume. The guest molecules exchange in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal fashion, which was investigated using NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of seaweed-like heterogeneous Co3(PO4)2/Ni3(PO4)2/MOF-74-x electrocatalysts were synthesized via a hydrothermal method. The optimal composite exhibits excellent catalytic performance toward methanol/ethanol oxidation reactions (MOR/EOR) with peak current densities reaching 27.5 and 32.6 mA cm−2, respectively. This work heralds the advent of more efficient heterogeneous electrocatalysts for DAFCs and other energy conversion systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By utilizing symmetrical pentacarboxylate ligands, 3,5-di(2′,5′-dicarboxylphenyl)benzoic acid (H5L1) and 3,5-di(2′,4′-dicarboxylphenyl)benzoic acid (H5L2), two novel porous Zn-MOFs, [Zn5(μ3-H2O)2(L1)2]·3DMA·4H2O (CTGU-3) and [Zn3(μ3-OH)L2(H2O)3]·H2O (CTGU-4) have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions. CTGU-3 and CTGU-4 exhibit 3D microporous frameworks with flu and dia topologies and possess unique secondary building units [Zn5(μ3-H2O)2(RCO2)6] and [Zn3(μ3-OH)(RCO2)3], respectively. Such porous systems create a unique space or surface to accommodate Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs), which could efficiently prevent Ag NPs from aggregation and leaching. In this work, two new Ag@Zn-MOF composites, denoted as Ag@CTGU, have been successfully fabricated through solution infiltration, for the reduction of nitrophenol. Compared with CTGU-4, CTGU-3 shows enhanced catalytic efficiency toward the reaction when it is used as a catalyst support of Ag NPs. Moreover, gas sorption and luminescence properties of two compounds were also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel magnetic carbon-based nickel and sodium silicate catalyst (Na2SiO3@Ni/C) was prepared by the precipitation of Ni(OH)2 on bamboo powders, pyrolysis and the loading of Na2SiO3, and was used in the co-production of biodiesel and hydrogen. The catalyst had strong magnetism (magnetic saturation, Ms of 15.7 Am2 kg−1) from the Ni and basicity (3.18 mmol g−1) from the Na2SiO3 for magnetic separation and biodiesel production. In the presence of Na2SiO3@Ni/C, a biodiesel yield of 98.1% was achieved from soybean oil under the best conditions (9/1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 7 wt% catalyst, 65 °C for 100 min), optimized by single-factor experiments. The catalyst was cycled 4 times with biodiesel yields ＞93%, but the yield dropped to 80.9% with a 85.3% catalyst recovery rate in the fifth cycle. The deactivated catalyst, after 5 cycles, catalyzed the hydrothermal gasification of a biodiesel by-product (crude glycerol) at 350 °C for 5 min with a gasification rate of 80.1% and 82.7% H2 purity. The role of Ni is to catalyze the H2 production while the role of Na2SiO3 is to absorb CO2 to achieve high H2 concentrations. After gasification, the structure of the Ni/C changed slightly and can still be cycled to load Na2SiO3 for biodiesel production and subsequent gasification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new metal–organic rotaxane frameworks (MORFs) have been hydrothermally synthesized by systematically combining cucurbit[6]uril-based pseudorotaxanes, rigid carboxylate ligands and d10 metal ions. Compound 1 presents a three-periodic pillared structure; 2 and 3 are two-periodic layers with hcb topologies; 4 presents a 3D structure with snw topology and 5 is a three-periodic network, featuring from interpenetrating to non-interpenetrating 3D MORFs. The cucurbit [6]uril-based MORFs obtained in this work illustrate the importance of non-covalent interactions around CB[6]s in the assembly of resultant super architectures. Furthermore, their TGA analysis, solid photoluminescence properties and sensitization to lanthanide ions are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanomaterials with different morphologies, including nano-spheres (10–25 nm in diameter), nano-rods (50–60 nm in diameter and ~1 μm in length), and nano-octahedrons (side length ~150 nm), have been synthesized by a single mild hydrothermal method at 160 °C without any surfactant. The crystal structures have been investigated by TEM, HRTEM, and studied by simulations using the program Materials Studio. The variations in the morphology, as well as the preferential crystal growth directions, depend only on the pH value of the reaction solution. A phase formation mechanism is thus proposed. Magnetization measurements at T = 300 K indicate that the NiFe2O4 nano-spheres of 10–25 nm diameter are superparamagnetic with non-saturating magnetization at H = 7 kOe. The saturation magnetization, MS, of the nanorods is 40 emu g−1, less than the bulk value, MS = 46.7 to 55 emu g−1. The coercivity is HC = 40 Oe, reduced from the bulk value of 100 Oe. On the other hand, the nano-octahedrons have a saturation magnetization of MS = 50 emu g−1, the same as the bulk value. However the coercivity, HC = 50 Oe is also much reduced from the bulk value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new transition metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) formulated as [Zn3(Bip)3(H2sip)2(H2O)4]·5H2O (CUST-751) and [Cd3(Bip)2(H2sip)2(H2O)4]·2H2O (CUST-752) [CUST = Changchun University of Science and Technology, Bip = 3,5-bis(imidazole-1-yl)pyridine and H2sip = 5-sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt] have been constructed via a solvothermal reaction. Their crystal structures have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. CUST-751 exhibits a two-dimensional (2D) layered structure, while CUST-752 possesses a three-dimensional (3D) framework. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) after treatment at different temperatures and different relative humidities (RHs) verified that they both have good thermal stabilities and water stabilities. Besides, their utility as fluorescence sensors has also been investigated. The results indicated that both CUST-751 and CUST-752 can be used as multiresponsive fluorescence sensors to detect Fe3+ and Cr2O72− with good sensitivity, high selectivity and recoverability, even in the presence of other interfering ions. More interestingly, CUST-751 is capable of selectively detecting 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP). This work provides insights into the design and synthesis of transition metal based MOFs and explores their potential applications in the fluorescence sensing field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel substitution reaction of perylene bisimides has been developed. The Ph2PO group was attached to the PBI core at the α-position instead of the usual bay position. This substitution kept the high fluorescence of the PBI dyes and caused the adjacent proton at the bay position and a tertiary proton at the cyclohexyl group to be shifted significantly in the 1H-NMR spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a dual-responsive fluorescent probe MC-V-P for the simultaneous detection of ONOO− and viscosity by different imaging channels. MC-V-P has high sensitivity and selectivity, and shows good stability at different pH levels. Notably, the probe has two independent fluorescence signals toward ONOO− and viscosity changes at 580 nm and 740 nm, respectively. Cell imaging experiment results demonstrated that MC-V-P exhibits low cytotoxicity and could be used to monitor viscosity and ONOO− in living HepG2 cells simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of halogen atoms into the skeleton to regulate the intrinsic properties or improve task-specific performance of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has developed rapidly in recent years. Herein, a series of halogen-engineered MOFs were designed and prepared for electrochemical glucose sensing. Three isomorphic Ni-MOFs were constructed by using tetra-halogenated-phthalic acids as the organic ligand and incorporating 4,4′-bipyridine as an auxiliary ligand. Halogen atoms can enhance the stability of Ni-MOFs through their hydrophobicity and interlayer halogen bonds (X–X or X–π, X = F, Cl, Br). Combined experimental and theoretical results show that the hydrogen bond between halogen atoms and glucose improves the reaction thermodynamics, enabling the wide linear range of 0.01–5.0 mM, high sensitivity of 4709.9 μA mM−1 cm−2 and low detection limit of 0.043 μM. This work provides practical guidance for the rational design of halogenated MOFs and promotes their applications in electrochemical sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal sulfides are low-cost oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts that can potentially substitute noble metal catalysts. However, the adsorption process of their OER is impeded by their intrinsic poor catalytic activity. Constructing heterojunction and vacancy defects in transition metal sulfides is an efficient method to promote the process of oxygen evolution. Herein, a facile approach based on in situ sulfurization of metal–organic gels (MOGs) and a short-time plasma treatment was developed to fabricate vacancy-modified polymetallic sulfides heterojunction. The synergistic effect of the multi-component heterojunction and sulfur vacancy contributed greatly to improving the electron migration efficiency and OER ability of the electrocatalyst. As a result, the optimum oxygen evolution activity was achieved with appropriate surface vacancy concentrations by regulating the plasma radio frequency powers. The plasma-treated catalyst under 400 W showed the best OER performance (lower overpotential of 235 mV in 1 M KOH solution with the Tafel slope of 31 mV dec−1) and good durability over 11 h of chronopotentiometry testing. This work sheds new light on constructing multimetal-based heterojunction electrocatalysts with rich vacancy defects for oxygen evolution reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as types of proton conductive materials have attracted much attention. Here, an acylamide-functionalized 3D MOF, [Ni3(TPBTC)2(stp)2(H2O)4]·2DMA·32H2O, has been successfully constructed via combining Ni(NO3)2, TPBTC (TPBTC = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid tris-pyridin-4-ylamide) and 2-H2stp (2-H2stp = 2-sulfoterephthalic acid monosodium salt) under solvothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that there are uncoordinated guest DMA molecules in the pores of the compound. On removal of guest DMA molecules, the proton conductivity of the compound increased to 2.25 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 80 °C and 98% RH which is about 110 times that of the original material. It is hoped that this work can provide essential insight for designing and obtaining improved crystalline-state proton conducting materials by considering the influences of guest molecules on proton conduction properties of porous materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A super-stable multifunctional terbium(iii)–organic framework, namely {[Tb(TATAB) (H2O)2]·NMP·H2O}n (Tb-MOF, H3TATAB = 4,4′,4′′-s-triazine-1,3,5-triyltri-m-aminobenzoic acid, NMP = N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) was synthesized. Tb-MOF exhibits a 2D sql structure with binuclear [Tb2(COO)4(H2O)4]2+ units as 4-connected nodes, and free water and NMP molecules are inserted between 2D layers through hydrogen-bonding interactions, forming a sandwich-type architecture. Observably, such a framework remains intact in a remarkable variety of environments such as common solvents and aqueous solutions with metal cations and inorganic anions, as well as with a pH ranging from 1 to 13. In particular, Tb-MOF can not only detect small organic molecules, metal cations and inorganic anions with high sensitivity and high selectivity, but also can accurately detect explosive 2-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol in water. Its luminescence quenching response to Fe3+ and Cr2O72− ions can be explained in terms of the competitive absorption mechanism. In addition, the luminescence intensity of Tb-MOF is strongly correlated with the pH value in a pH range from 1 to 13. Thus, this material can be potentially used as a multi-responsive luminescent sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6])-based metal–organic rotaxane networks (MORNs) (named CUST-711, CUST-712, and CUST-713) functionalized by a sulfonic group (–SO3H) have been designed and synthesized via a hydrothermal method. All three compounds exhibited similar two-dimensional (2D) wave layer structures. Their stability under different temperature and relative humidity conditions has been investigated and all the compounds showed excellent stability. Furthermore, their proton conduction properties were also discussed in detail. Due to different structures and sulfonic group sites, the three compounds exhibited different proton conduction abilities of which CUST-712 exhibited an intrinsic relatively high proton conductivity (1.75 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 85 °C and 97% relative humidity). These results provide ideas for the design and synthesis of functional CB[6]-based metal–organic rotaxane frameworks (MORFs) as proton conducting materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concomitant formation of metallic Bi nanoparticles and oxygen vacancies was successfully achieved within Bi/BiOBr/RGO composites by facile and green UV-light exposure. Detailed characterization showed that Bi nanoparticles with an average size of ca. 25 nm and oxygen-vacancies were fabricated simultaneously in this preparative process. The photocatalytic activity in aqueous methylene blue (MB) solution showed that the Bi/BiOBr/RGO composites revealed superior performance over the counterparts and their photocatalytic activities were highly dependent on the light irradiation time of the preparation process. Among all the as-prepared samples, the sample prepared under UV-light irradiation of 40 min exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity and the removal rate of MB was 99.9% under visible-light within 240 min. The mechanism study proved that the improvement in the photocatalytic efficiency of Bi/BiOBr/RGO composites could be ascribed to the synergy of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of Bi, conductive RGO and oxygen vacancies, all of which enhanced the visible light harvesting and effective separation of electron–hole pairs. The present work not only provided a facile green and low-cost method to simultaneously incorporate Bi and oxygen vacancy into composites but also confirmed that UV-light irradiation was one effective method to tune the photocatalytic performance of the composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) under given reaction conditions depends on various factors including reaction duration, temperature, used solvent, system pH, and others. Among them, the reaction duration is relatively less investigated. In this work, based on a Cu(ii)-MOF system, the reaction duration was found to play an important role in directing the formation of two different products, (NH2(CH3)2)[Cu12(DDPN)6(H2O)10Cl] (BUT-301) on shorter reaction time and (NH2(CH3)2)2[Cu(DDPN)] (BUT-302) on longer reaction time, when CuCl2 reacted with 3,5-di(3,5-dicarboxylphenyl)nitrobenzene (H4DDPN) in a DMA/MeOH mixed solvent at 120 °C. With increasing the reaction duration, BUT-301 can transform into BUT-302. Both MOFs have three-dimensional (3D) framework structures. BUT-301 is constructed from paddle-wheel Cu2(COO)4 units and DDPN4– ligands as four-connected linkers, while BUT-302 is assembled from mononuclear Cu(ii) centers connecting the ligands as also four-connected linkers but in a monodentate coordination fashion. N2 adsorption confirmed that both MOFs are porous materials with the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas of 1953 and 561 m2 g−1, respectively. Interestingly, both BUT-301 and -302 show selective adsorption properties of C3H4 over C3H6. The C3H4/C3H6 adsorption selectivities were calculated to be 1.9 and 4.4 at 0.1 bar and 298 K by the ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) for a 1 : 99 C3H4/C3H6 mixture, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the design and construction of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), the utilization of slim ligands is usually more inclined to form interpenetrated structures compared with bulky ones. The structural interpenetration can improve the framework stability and in some cases, enhance gas adsorption capacity and selectivity due to confined pores. In order to explore the structural control of MOFs and construct new MOFs with good selective gas adsorption ability, herein, a slim ethynyl-based 4-connected carboxylate acid ligand, 4,4′,4′′,4′′′-(benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrayltetrakis(ethyne-2,1-diyl))tetrabenzoic acid (H4BTEB), was used to design and construct MOFs, hopefully having interpenetrated structures. Combining with 4-connected paddle-wheel Cu2(COO)4 and 8-connected Zr6O4(OH)8(COO)8 clusters, BTEB4− ligand led to two new MOFs, [Cu2(BTEB)(H2O)2] (BUT-43) and [Zr6O4(OH)8(H2O)4(BTEB)2] (BUT-44). As expected, the two MOFs have two-fold interpenetrated framework structures with partitioned channels. BUT-43 contains a rare three-dimensional (3D) 4-connected single network with lvt topology, which then interpenetrates. In BUT-44, each Zr6-based cluster is coordinated with eight BTEB4− ligands to give a single 3D 4,8-connected scu network, which then doubly interpenetrates to give the first example of interpenetrated 4,8-connected Zr(iv)-MOF. Studies on their stability and gas adsorption properties demonstrate that BUT-44 shows higher stability in NaOH solution of pH 10 and 1 M HCl aqueous solution. More interestingly, both MOFs represent good gas adsorption selectivities for C2H2 over CO2 and CH4, suggesting potential application in gas separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three polyoxovanadate-based metal–organic polyhedra (denoted as VMOP-1, -2, and -3), adopting isostructural discrete octahedral cage geometries, were successfully synthesized under solvothermal conditions. These structures are all built up from the same pentavanadate {V5O9Cl} cluster connected by linear bidentate ligands (H2L1 = H2BDC, H2L2 = H2BDC-NH2, H2L3 = H2BDC-Br), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two unprecedented homochiral enantiomers based on two different kinds of rigid ligands, namely [Cd(NDC)L]2·H2O (1R and 1L), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions through spontaneous resolution. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The resulting framework 1, constructed by four kinds of homo-handed helical chains represents the first 3D self-penetrating framework formed by decoration of single (10,3)-a net with helical chains. The single (10,3)-a net in 1 formed by three kinds of different homo-handed helical chains is different from the standard one, which should be ascribed to the usage of V-shaped ligand L. A unique self-penetration motif can be discovered in 1 where one helical chain alternately passes through 10-membered shortest circuits linked to each other and in contrary, the corresponding circuits are bound to the helical chain. Interestingly, 1 exhibits fluorescent emission in both the solid and solution phase. The uncoordinated nitrogen atom and amino group from the triazole core on the crystal surface make it suitable to detect picric acid in water. The luminescence intensity of 1 in water can be efficiently quenched by the addition of picric acid (PA). The sensitive detection of PA can be continuously performed for at least five cycles without diminishing the fluorescence intensity and destroying the framework structure of 1. The possible quenching mechanisms for PA are also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new Co(ii)-based mixed-ligand coordination polymers, namely, [Co2(H3bppc)2(2,2′-bpy)4]·H2O (1), [Co2(Hbppc)(2,2′-bpy)2(H2O)]·H2O (2), [Co(H2bppc)(H-bpp)]·2H2O (3), [Co3(μ3-OH)(bppc)(dps)(CH3CH2OH)]·4H2O (4), [Co2(bppc)(bib)(H2O)4]·(H2-bib)0.5·(H2O)3 (5), and [Co2(Hbppc)(bix)2]·2H2O (6), (H5bppc = biphenyl-2,4,6,3′,5′-pentacarboxylic acid, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, bpp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane, dps = 4,4′-sulfanediyldipyridine, bib = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-yl)benzene, bix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene), have been obtained under solvothermal conditions. 1 exhibits a 3D supramolecular framework based on a [Co2(H3bppc)2(2,2′-bpy)4] unit. 2 has a (3,4)-connected dmc net with a (4·82)(4·85) topology containing alternate binuclear metal clusters and single metal centres. 3 shows a 3D supramolecular architecture constructed from ladder-like arrays decorated with H-bpp. 4 exhibits a binodal (5,7)-connected 3D network based on trinuclear [Co3(μ3-OH)]5+ units with an unusual (3·46·52·6)(32·46·57·65·7) topology. 5 features a (4,6)-connected 3D fsc open framework with binuclear [Co2(H2O)(COO)]3+ units as nodes, and H2-bib and water molecules located in the voids of its framework by hydrogen bonds. 6 possesses a 3D net containing unusual 2D polyrotaxane sheets. Topological analysis reveals that 6 has a (3,4,4)-connected 3D network with a (4·6·74)(4·6·7)(6·72·102·11) topology. The structural difference of 1 and 2 is due to the different pH values of the reaction system. Though complexes 2–6 were synthesised under similar reaction conditions, the carboxylic groups of H5bppc were partially deprotonated in 2, 3 and 6 and fully deprotonated in 4 and 5. Complexes 2–6 display diverse structures depending on different N-donor ligands and the coordination modes of the multicarboxylate ligand. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that complexes 1–6 show antiferromagnetic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel 3D organic–inorganic hybrid framework constructed from tetra-CoII-substituted sandwich-type phosphotungstates with a rare 8-connected bcu topology is reported, which exhibited highly efficient photocatalysis activity under visible light and could be used for 5 cycles without any obvious decrease in activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unique cationic metal–organic framework was synthesized by connecting the neutral rod-shaped secondary building unit with a cationic dicarboxylate ligand. This framework showed a rare snub square tessellation pattern by the periodic tiling of triangular and square nanotubes. The charge- and size-dependent ion-exchange of anion dyes was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven new coordination polymers, namely, [Zn(L)(bdc)]·2H2O (1), [Zn(L)(2-NH2-bdc)]·2H2O (2), [Zn(L)(bdc)]·1.75DMF·0.5H2O (3), [Zn(L)(oba)]·H2O (4), [Co(L)(oba)]·H2O (5), [Cd2(L)2(bdc)(NO3)2]·2DMF (6) and [Cd(L)(ndc)(H2O)] (7) (L = 4-amino-3,5-bis(4-imidazol-1-ylphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole, H2bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 2-NH2-H2bdc = 2-amino-1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H2oba = 4,4′-oxydibenzoic acid and H2ndc = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid), have been synthesized. The structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. 1 and 2 feature a similar three-fold interpenetrating network combined with interdigitation which extends the structure into a three-dimensional framework. 3 is a two-fold interpenetrating framework showing intralayer porosity and interdigitation. Compounds 1 and 3 represent a pair of supramolecular isomers where structural motifs and different interpenetration modes exist; compounds 4 and 5 are isostructural and display the same three-fold interpenetrating framework where two types of interlaced triple-stranded helices A and B can be found. The triple-stranded helices with opposite chirality for each type are distributed in adjacent layers. Compound 6 exhibiting a unique simultaneous threading fashion of adjacent polymeric motifs gives the novel (2D → 3D) polythreaded array where coordinated NO3− anions act as the dangling ligands. Compound 7 is a 6-connected 3D self-penetrating network where right- and left-handed single-stranded helical chains (AR and AL) and interlaced triple-stranded helices (BR and BL) coexist. The luminescence properties of compounds 1–7 were also measured and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unique three-dimensional metal azolate framework containing a tetranuclear copper cluster constructed by six 1,2,4-triazole units was synthesized in which the 1,2,4-triazole units show unusual bridging “crevice” coordination mode with their 1- and 2-positioned sp2 N-atoms as symmetrically bridging centers. The photocatalytic activities of as-prepared compound were tested by degradation of rhodamine-B (RB) under different light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new water-soluble receptor 1has been synthesized and it showed selective recognition of zwitterionic arginine in aqueous media. Moreover, the receptor 1could be regard as a facile tool for protein labeling and quantitative determination (LOD= 15 nM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]