One-pot synthesis of hydrazono-sulfonamide adducts using Cu(BTC) MOF catalyst and their remarkable AIEE properties: unprecedented copper(<scp>ii</scp>)-catalyzed generation of ketenimine

An efficient, four-component reaction for the synthesis of hydrazono-sulfonamide adducts via in situ generated ketenimine was discovered. Highly porous copper benzenetricarboxylate [Cu(BTC)], a metal–organic framework (MOF), was used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the four-component coupling reaction involving aldehyde, alkyne, tosyl azide, and phenylhydrazine in a one pot process. For the first time, a copper(II) catalyst was utilized to generate a ketenimine intermediate. The Cu(BTC) catalyst was recycled and reused six times without any substantial loss in the yield. In addition, pyrene adduct (5r) shows remarkable aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE) properties, and was studied in detail using THF : water solvent mixtures. Adduct 5r is almost non-emissive in pure THF solution, however, it emits a greenish-yellow colour in the aggregated state. Formation of nano-aggregates was confirmed by TEM analysis. A theoretical DFT study supports the observed photophysical changes.