Tetraphenylethylene-based phosphine: tuneable emission and carbon dioxide fixation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Tetraphenylethylene derivatives are known for aggregation-induced emission (AIE).
• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer porous structures for gas capture.
• Phosphine ligands can coordinate with metal ions to form complex structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel tetraphenylethylene-based phosphine (TPE-P4) with aggregation-induced and mechano-responsive properties.
• To investigate the ability of TPE-P4 to capture atmospheric CO2 in the presence of silver ions.
• To characterize the resulting metal-organic framework (MOF) and its luminescent properties.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of 1,1,2,2-tetrakis((4-diphenylphosphino)phenyl)ethylene (TPE-P4).
• In situ reaction of TPE-P4 with Ag+ and atmospheric CO2 in neutral solution.
• X-ray diffraction and luminescence spectroscopy for characterization of the MOF ([Ag2(TPE-P4)CO3]x⊃nH2O, Ag-TPE-P4).

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of TPE-P4 exhibiting AIE and mechano-responsive emission.
• Formation of a rare 3D MOF with zeolite-like SOD topology, Ag-TPE-P4, via in situ CO2 fixation.
• Ag-TPE-P4 displayed turn-on luminescence, emitting bright bluish-green light in the solid state.

Conclusions:

• TPE-P4 is a versatile ligand capable of forming luminescent MOFs.
• The Ag-TPE-P4 framework demonstrates efficient atmospheric CO2 capture and conversion to carbonate.
• The luminescent properties of the MOF suggest potential applications in CO2 sensing and monitoring.