An adjustable dual-emission fluorescent metal-organic framework: Effective detection of multiple metal ions,...

A novel multifunctional Pb(II)-based MOF, [Pb_1.5(DBPT)]₂·(DMA)₃(H₂O)₄ (1), with excellent chemical stability, was successfully assembled by connecting {Pb₂O₁₀} unit with a multi-topic polycarboxylate ligand of 3-(3,5-dicarboxylphenyl)-5-(4-carboxylphenyl)-1-H-1,2,4-triazole (H₃DBPT). It exhibits dual fluorescence emissions at 380 nm (λ_ex = 280 nm) and 540 nm (λ_ex = 380 nm), respectively. Through the adjustable dual fluorescence emissions, it could act as a turn-off and turn-on switch for detecting N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) molecule. Moreover, Fe³⁺ ions exert luminescence quenching role on compound 1 at both excitation lengths in water, among which the quenching at λ_ex = 280 nm is of high sensitivity (K_SV = 1.2 × 10⁵), and the quenching at λ_ex = 380 nm is of wide-range. The sensing for metal ions of In³⁺, Zr⁴⁺, and Al³⁺ is also effective at λ_ex = 280 nm, with the K_SV constants of 1.6 × 10⁵, 1.6 × 10⁵, and 4.3 × 10⁴, respectively. More importantly, a series of nitroaromatic compounds (TNP, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol; 4-NA, 4-nitroaniline; NB, nitrobenzene) and nitro-based drugs (MNZ, metronidazole; DMZ, dimetridazole) could be detected at both excitation lengths, demonstrating the advantage of broad range response of fluorescence sensing. Thanks to the excellent chemical stability and unusual dual emission luminescence properties for chemical detection of various metal ions, nitro-based molecules and DMA solvent, the Pb-based MOF reported in this work is, therefore, a very promising multi-response sensor.