Switching from Oxygen Quenching Resistance to Linear Response by Smart Luminescent Iridium(III)-Based Metal-Organic...

In this study, we utilize a photo-active Ir-metalloligand, Ir(C^N)₂(L) (C^N = 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl) pyridine, L = [2,2'-bipyridine]-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid), to assemble with CdX₂ under hydrothermal conditions, yielding highly emissive crystals of two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (2D MOFs) (named Ir-Cd X = Cl, Br). The Ir-Cd₂X₂ MOFs exhibit μs-level phosphorescence lifetimes and more than 55% quantum yield (QY) at room temperature because of the rigid framework connected by Cd₂X₂ clusters. By immersing Ir-Cd₂X₂ in water solution for 5 min, a new MOF (Ir-Cd) was obtained, which is given a structure with hydrolyzed Cd-nodes by complete removal of halogen bridges as elucidated by single-crystal diffraction. Although the phosphorescence emission of pristine CdX₂ MOFs exhibits oxygen quenching resistance, the converted Ir-Cd MOF possesses sensitively oxygen-responsive ³MLCT properties, showing a K_SV value as high as 14.5 with strictly linear relation (R² = 0.995). This work differs from the traditional method for improving oxygen-sensing metrics by enhancing QY and phosphorescence lifetime in Ir complexes, while also demonstrating that the transformation in the surrounding coordination environment on adjacent metal centers can also constitute key factors for improved photoluminescence stability or responsive properties in Ir-based heteronuclear MOFs, providing clues for the development of either oxygen quenching blockers or sensors suitable for different occasions.