Two New Coordination Frameworks Constructed From 4-(Imidazol-1-yl) Benzoic Acid: Synthesis, Structures and Tunable Photoluminescence Upon Thermochromisms.

Two new two- and three-dimensional transition-metal-organic frameworks, namely, [Ni(imbz)] ( 1), [Cu(imbz)·4HO] ( 2), (imbz = 4-(imidazole-1-yl)-benzoic acid), have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally determined. Compound 1 is a 2-D (4, 4)-network framework consisting of square grid with dimensions of ca. 11.4158(11) × 11.4158(11) Å, and 2 exhibits a 3-D framework encapsulating four guest solvent waters. Interestingly, both compounds exhibit tunable photoluminescences upon thermochromisms, i.e., upon heating, two compounds undergo color changes from blue to green (for 1) and dark blue to light blue (for 2) accompanied by a reduction or disappear of the fluorescent intensities. Graphical Abstract: Two new two- and three-dimensional transition-metal-organic frameworks exhibiting tunable photoluminescences upon thermochromisms have been structurally determined. They present 2-D (4, 4)-network framework and 3-D framework encapsulating four guest solvent waters.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]