Tritopic Triazatruxene Ligands for Multicomponent Metal‐Organic Frameworks

• Published in: Chemistry, an Asian journal an Asian journal, 2019-04, Vol.14 (8), p.1167-1174
• Main Authors: Alkaş, Adil, Cornelio, Joel, Telfer, Shane G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Fluorescence; hydrogen bonding; ligand design; Ligands; Metal-organic frameworks; triazatruxene; tritopic ligands
• ISSN: 1861-4728; 1861-471X
• DOI: 10.1002/asia.201801546

Multicomponent metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are built up from multiple ligands that are geometrically distinct. These ligands occupy specific positions in the MOF lattice. Installing different functionalities at precise locations in the framework is an important step in making MOFs for specific applications. This can be achieved by designing functionalized ligands for multicomponent MOFs. Here, we report a simple synthetic procedure for a new tritopic triazatruxene based tricarboxylic acid, H3tat. We show that this ligand can be symmetrically derivatized with various substituents on its nitrogen centres. We report a new isoreticular series of well‐ordered quaternary MOFs based on these new triazatruxene ligands together with two linear carboxylate ligands and Zn4O clusters. These MOFs are isostructural to the previously reported MUF‐77 series and show similar high surface areas and large pore volumes. Furthermore, H‐bonding between the NH sites of the incorporated triazatruxene ligands and guest molecules is employed to modify their fluorescence behavior. A range of new tritopic ligands with a triazatruxene core were synthesized and successfully introduced into a series of multicomponent Zn4O‐carboxylate MOFs in conjunction with two linear ligands. The emission spectra of these MOFs are responsive to H‐bonding guest molecules.