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Iron(II)-triazole coordination polymers have attracted considerable interest for their synthetic versatility, which allows tuning their spin-crossover (SCO) properties. Embedding SCO solid particles in sponge matrices is a simple, powerful, and generic approach to construct processable SCO materials. Here, we have studied a series of magnetic frameworks based on partial ligand substitution by using different chemical mixtures of two organic ligands, yielding four isostructural coordination polymers. The integration of the hygroscopic SCO material has endowed the composite sponge with the ability to capture moisture under ambient conditions. In particular, not only does a spin-crossover transition during absorption occur, but also a color variation has been achieved by varying humidity. The consequences of cooperativity and the exposed surface of the composite sponge on the spin transition were evaluated and the most promising materials among them were screened. This work provides guiding significance for the fabrication and practical application of spin-crossover-sponge materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triggering the spin-state switching (SSS) in solutions at room temperature (RT) has attracted attention in the field of molecular switches. Herein, we report the preparation and switching properties of a ferrous complex Fe(H2Bpz2)2(L -C2H5) (H2Bpz2 = dihydrobis(1-pyrazolyl)borate, L -C2H5 = (4,15-bis[4-(N,N-diethylamino)phenyl][1,2,5]thiadiazolo-[3,4-i]dipyrido[a,c]phenazine)). Upon near-infrared (NIR) laser on, the ferrous complex formed H-aggregation in the solution with enhanced ligand-to-ligand charge transfer, which thus achieved a high-spin state. Upon switching the NIR laser off, the ferrous complex changed to J-aggregation with enhanced intramolecular charge transfer, which resulted in the low-spin state; as a consequence, charge transfer triggered reversible SSS in the solution at RT. More interestingly, further confinement into the solid-state three-dimensional polymer sponge did not affect the SSS performance of the ferrous complex, suggesting the high potential of Fe(H2Bpz2)2(L -C2H5) for practical applications in future molecular electronic and spintronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Converting Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and subsequent precipitation of Cr(III) represents an efficient approach for wastewater treatment. Although it is possible to eliminate Cr(III) by adjusting the pH to elicit precipitation, this method is expensive and can lead to secondary pollution. Herein, we report a composite (C-S-U) composed of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and UiO-66-NH2 nanoparticles (UN NPs). We demonstrated a remarkable synergistic effect for the purification of total chromium concentration (Cr(T)) attributed to the affinity of Cr(III) to C-S-H, coupled with the Cr(III) sorption-enhanced photocatalysis. C-S-U exhibited a significantly enhanced photocatalytic rate (0.052 min−1) for Cr(VI) but also delivered outstanding sorption capacity (217.9 mg g−1) towards Cr(III). Cr(T) could be reduced to an ultra-low level (∼0.007 mg L−1) within 90 min. Meanwhile, regeneration of Cr(III)-passivated C-S-U and Cr recollection was achieved. Electrochemical analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were undertaken to reveal the mechanism of removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–organic framework nanosheets (MONs) are expected to turn the cornerstone of integrated electronic and optoelectronic devices owing to their unique properties. However, as the premise and guarantee for research applications, adjustable preparation and accurate control of MONs remain a challenge. Here in this work, we demonstrate that the sizes and colors of MONs can be tuned by subtle control of the solution pH (from 3 to 11) during the precursor preparation. Where the variation of the sizes of MONs from nano-scale (lateral size smaller than 200 nm) to micro-scale (lateral size larger than 10 μm) was achieved, which was accompanied by the continuous color variation from green to gray for the solid-state samples, and from orange to pink for the colloidal suspensions. As a result, linear correlations between the sizes and colors of the MONs with the solution pH were established. Laser irradiation experiments further demonstrated the inverse relationship between the fluorescence intensity of MONs and the pH, providing a fairly good strategy for the controlled preparation and color adjustment of MONs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient atmospheric water harvesting has been a focal point in the broad spectrum of water collection sources, to alleviate the challenges caused by water shortage. Herein, we report a systematic approach focused on preparing a polymer hydrophobic–hydrophilic gel, doped with super hygroscopic materials (SHMs), enabling high moisture capture, color response, and in situ moisture storage. The hybrid gel quickly achieves a water uptake of 100% under different humidity levels from 43% to 98%. The hybrid gel achieves not only the capture of moisture but also the response of an obvious color change from blue to pink, visible to the naked eye. The interesting properties of the hybrid gel give rise to a wide range of possibilities in design and engineering for humidity capture response and detection application, providing bright prospects for the next generation of atmospheric water harvesting systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of molecular switches is highly dependent on the reversible spin-state switching under ambient conditions, which needs a delicate materials design. Here, by confining a spin-crossover material into a sponge, the challenging goal of reversible spin-state switching in the solid state under ambient conditions has been realized, upon irradiation with a 980 nm laser for 120 s followed by shutting off the laser for 150 s. More importantly, further integration of the hygroscopic material has endowed the sponge with the merits of effective atmospheric humidity-triggered reversible spin-state switching under ambient conditions for the first time, accompanied by a reversible color variation upon naturally occurring humidity capture/release cycles. This work is expected to provide a fairly good strategy for developing novel molecular switches triggered by natural energy sources at the device level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using in-site generated formate, 2D HOFs of TCPP, with excellent stability and permanent porosity (BET surface area larger than 560 m2 g−1), have been obtained. The constructed 2D square-like TCPP-HCO2 grid sheets have shown considerable in-plane stability that comparable to the TCPP-based 2D MOFs, that can be exfoliated into atomically thin 2D nanosheets with efficient photocatalytic activity in aqueous system. These results are expected to shed light on the application-orientated one-pot synthesis for new kinds of multi-dimensional HOFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining the advantages of ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets featuring stimuli-responsive properties with lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) represents a challenging goal in near infrared (NIR) light-triggered molecular switching under ambient conditions. Here, we present the fabrication of a 2D@UCNPs hybrid system comprising the integration of distinct features of atomically thin 2D spin-crossover nanosheets ({[Fe(1,3-bpp)2(SCN)2]2}n) and ytterbium ion (Yb3+)-sensitized hexagonal phase UCNPs [sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF4): 20 mol% Yb3+, 1 mol% erbium ions (Er3+)]. The UCNPs are hybridized with 2D nanosheets involving bare thiocyanate (SCN−) ligands on both sides of the basal surfaces of the nanosheets, and as a consequence, effective synergistic effects between the up-conversion luminescence (UCL) and spin-state interconversion were established. Upon NIR (980 nm) irradiation, the UCL weakened the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) and triggered high-spin (HS) to low-spin (LS) state transition. Upon subsequent heating (40 °C), the MLCT strengthened and the LS to HS state transition was achieved, suggesting a reversible molecular-switching had occurred which was triggered by altering NIR and thermal stimuli. In addition, the corresponding aqueous colloidal suspension is highly stable, nontoxic, environmentally and human friendly in nature, making it suitable for practical applications in photo-switching devices and fabrication of next-generation user-friendly and wearable, fashionable optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, two new single crystals of copper-tetraphenylporphine (Cu-TPP) (crystals 2 and 3), which were induced by external magnetic fields with strengths of 0.5 and 0.8 T, respectively, have been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Hirshfeld surface analysis. Compared with the original Cu-TPP (crystal 1), crystals 2 and 3 exhibit significant differences in their unit cell parameters, crystalline stacking styles and intermolecular interactions, resulting in a “compressed” crystal packing. Here, the number of closer interactions (H…H, C…H/H…C) increased with the magnetic field strength, accompanied by a decrease in the number of π…π (C…C) interactions as a sacrifice. On considering the results of our previous work, the results here suggest that a magnetic field has a different influence on the crystallization process of mono-component and multi-component materials, which will certainly provide some suggestions for the design of crystallization strategies for other materials with the presence of an external magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation into the effect of switching methoxy and hydroxyl groups on molecular salts is presented in this study. The salts HL1+·NO3− (1), L1·HL1+·ClO4− (2), L1·HL1+·H2PO4−·H2O (3), HL2+·NO3− (4), HL2+·ClO4− (5) and HL2+·H2PO4− (6) were synthesized and structurally characterized. The study was carried out by analyzing the crystal structure, properties and intermolecular interactions within each of the salts using IR and fluorescence spectra, TGA, Hirshfeld surface analyses and π…π stacking motifs. Salt 1 has a layered structure, while 4 has a distorted 3-D structure. Salt 2 possesses an edge-to-face type plane interaction, while 5 is formed with a twisted structure. It is important to note that water molecules play a key role in the 1-D chain structure of salt 3. The π…π stacking motif of salts 1–3 have a herringbone structure, while salts 3–6 exhibit a γ-structure. In addition, the competitive crystallization of the synthetic salts was investigated and found to be consistent with the measured solubility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the ligands 4-(4-bromobenzylideneamino)-4H-1,2,4-triazole (L1) and 4-(4-iodobenzylideneamino)-4H-1,2,4-triazole (L2), four different organic salts HL1+·Cl− (1), L1·HL1+·ClO4− (2), HL2+·Cl− (3), and L2·HL2+·ClO4− (4) have been synthesized and structurally characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction (L1, L2, 2 and 3) and PXRD (1 and 4) measurements. The results revealed that ligands L1 and L2 themselves exhibit a polymeric 1-D chain in a zigzag structure connected by C–Br…N and C–I…N halogen-bonding contacts, respectively. L1 in salt 2 was connected into a 3-D structure through N–H…O hydrogen-bonding contacts, while the interleaved 3-D network of L2 in salt 3 was mainly connected by C–I…Cl halogen-bonding contacts. As a result, the fluorescence properties of ligands L1 and L2 were reserved in halogen-bonding connected salts 1 and 3, while there was a reduction in hydrogen-bonding connected salts 2 and 4. Thus, the relationship between emission properties and halogen-bonding contacts can be proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the potential of oxoanion separation with the ligands N-4-methylbenzyl-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (L1), N-4-fluorobenzyl-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (L2), N-4-hydroxy benzyl-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (L3), and N-3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzyl-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (L4) was explored. The salts of sulphate, nitrate, and perchlorate were crystallized in the form of [HL1]+[HSO4]−·H2O, [HL2]+[HSO4]−·H2O, 2[HL3]+[SO4]2−·2(H2O), and 2[HL4]+[SO4]2−·H2O, [HL3]+[NO3]−·H2O and [HL4]+[NO3]−, and [HL3]+[ClO4]− and [HL4]+[ClO4]−, respectively. Competitive crystallization and competitive sulphate-binding experiments demonstrated special recognition of the sulphate–water clusters (in the forms of [HSO4−·H2O]n or [SO42−·H2O]n) via the parallel packed 3-D architectures of HL1+, HL2+, and HL4+ cations, which were far more effective and selective than the non-3-D structure of HL3+ cation. The observed selectivity for sulphate, nitrate, and perchlorate was found to be anti-Hofmeister. In addition, the selective separation of sulphate anions in seawater was investigated, which demonstrated the real-world application of the present strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the differences in the position and degree of fluorine substitution, four fluorinated DSA (9,10-distyrylanthracene) derivatives, namely 9,10-bis(4-fluorostyryl)anthracene (4-BFSA), 9,10-bis(3-fluorostyryl)anthracene (3-BFSA), 9,10-bis(3,5-difluorostyryl)anthracene (BDFSA) and 9,10-bis(3,4,5-trifluorostyryl)anthracene (BTFSA), display different crystal packing and photophysical properties in the solid state. Furthermore, the photophysical properties in solution have been investigated. The results show that all the four compounds exhibit tunable aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE) properties. Notably, DSA, 4-BFSA, 3-BFSA and BDFSA display solvatochromic properties. The relationship between their structures and photophysical properties was further discussed. This work has demonstrated that depending on the amount and position, fluorine substitution can tune the structures and photophysical properties of DSA effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-scale materials are acquiring a leading role in the fabrication of new generation devices, especially for the practical application of molecular bi-stability. However, the preparation of purely bi-stable nano-objects without the use of surfactants/polymers remains a challenging task. Here, we present a new approach to prepare spin-crossover (SCO) vesicular nano-spheres with single-external diameters of approximately 100 nm using a CHCl3–H2O mixture. The nano-spheres are based on a series SCO complexes, [Fe(H2Bpz2)2(dialkyl-bipy)] (H2Bpz2 = dihydrobis(1-pyrazolyl)borate, dialkyl-bipy = N4,N4′-dialkyl-(2,2′-bipyridine)-4,4′-dicarbo-xamide, alkyl = propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl and cetyl), and are prepared through a self-assembly process that is similar to liposomal assembly, with the dialkyl-bipy moiety acting as the hydrophobic tail and the Fe(H2Bpz2) moiety acting as the hydrophilic head. This study reveals that the alkyl chain length plays a key role in the formation of these nano-spheres and the determination of their spin transition temperatures. The spin transition temperatures for the bulk materials are centered at around 160 K, and show a positive correlation with the alkyl chain length. Meanwhile, for the vesicular nano-spheres in the solid state, their transition temperatures are above room-temperature, and the correlation with the alkyl chain length is negative. These results provide an effective strategy for the design of new metal–organic materials for nano-technological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four novel lanthanide compounds based on the 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole ligand (Hcpt), {[Pr2(cpt)4(H2O)10]·10H2O·2ClO4} (1), {[Ln(cpt)2(H2O)2(OH)]·4H2O}n (Ln = Er(2), Lu(3)), and {[Sm(cpt)2(CH3CH2OH)(H2O)3]·ClO4}n (4), have been obtained under hydrothermal conditions and further characterized by elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Compound 1 exhibits a discrete dinuclear structure constructed by one cpt− ligand coordinated to two Pr3+ ions and another cpt− ligand coordinated to more than one Pr3+ ion. Compounds 2 and 3 are isomorphous and every cpt− ligand coordinates to two Ln3+ ions, resulting in a polymeric 1-D chain structure. Different from the above compounds, the nitrogen atoms of triazole are also involved in the coordination of compound 4. One cpt− ligand coordinates to two Sm3+ ions and another cpt− ligand coordinates to more than one Sm3+ ion, meanwhile, the nitrogen atoms of triazole coordinate to the third Sm3+ ion, resulting in a 2-D polymeric network structure. The luminescence properties of compound 4 were characterized, and the results revealed that it exhibited characteristic Sm3+ emission in the yellow region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four DSA (9,10-distyrylanthracene) derivatives, namely 9,10-bis(4-fluorostyryl)anthracene (BFSA), 9,10-bis(4-chlorostyryl)anthracene (BCSA), 9,10-bis(4-bromostyryl)anthracene (BBSA) and 9,10-bis(4-iodostyryl)anthracene (BISA) have been synthesized and characterized via single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, photoluminescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, solid fluorescence quantum yield measurement and other techniques, for the purpose of studying the influence of halogen atoms on the structures and photophysical properties of 9,10-distyrylanthracene. The results indicate that the introduction of halogen atoms into DSA significantly influences the molecular geometries and stacking modes in the crystals. The photophysical properties in solution and in the crystalline state of the five compounds were comparatively investigated, and the relationship between the crystalline state emissions and crystal structures was further discussed. This work has demonstrated that the introduction of halogen atoms into DSA could influence the molecular packing and molecular geometries in the crystals and endow them with different photophysical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four rotator–stator assembly complexes: benzoic-4-methylammonium-tetrafluoroborate-15-crown-5 ([C8H10NO2-(15-crown-5)]+[BF4]−, 1); benzoic-4-methylammonium-perchlorate-15-crown-5 ([C8H10NO2-(15-crown-5)]+[ClO4]−, 2); benzoic-4-methylammonium-tetrafluoroborate-18-crown-6 ([C8H10NO2-(18-crown-6)]+[BF4]−, 3); benzoic-m-ammonium-tetrafluoroborate-18-crown-6 ([C7H8NO2-(18-crown-6)]+[BF4]−, 4), for the investigation of the supramolecular assembly and host–guest interaction of crown ethers, have been synthesized and characterized. The results revealed that the variation of crown ethers, the substituent position of carboxyl group, as well as the different kinds of inorganic anions all can lead to quite another geometry and directionality of both the anilinium rotors and crown ether stators, which lead to entirely different supramolecular architectures. It is interesting that the optimal distances from the mean O-plane where found for the 18-crown-6 macrocycle with the ammonium cation, and the conformation of the macrocycle was badly affected in complexes with shorter or longer distances. We also studied the Raman spectroscopy of the five complexes, which give further inspection of the intermolecular interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation into the substituent effect of halogen atoms (F, Cl, Br) on the crystal structure of indole-3-carboxylic acid (ICA) was prepared in this work. The investigation was done through the aspect of crystal structure, intermolecular interactions and π…π stacking motifs with the assistance of infrared spectra, elemental analyses, NMR spectra, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and hot stage microscopy (HSM) measurements. The results revealed that the different kinds of halogen atoms and the different substituted positions have a significant effect on the crystal structures, molecular π…π stacking motifs and the kinds of intermolecular interactions. We further correlated the melting points of the ICAs with the H–H, O–H and X–H (X = F, Cl, Br) interactions, and found a positive correlation between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]