Luminescent Microporous Metal–Organic Framework with Functional Lewis Basic Sites on the Pore Surface: Specific Sensing and Removal of Metal Ions

A three-dimensional luminescent metal-organic framework, {Mg(DHT)(DMF)(2)}(n) (1), based on an excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) responsive linker, 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid (H(2)DHT), has been synthesized, and its desolvated microporous framework with pendent -OH groups on the pore surface was exploited for the binding and specific sensing of metal ions via Lewis acid-base interactions. The luminescence intensity significantly quenches with Cu(II) among various s- and d-block metal ions, and highly selective sensing of Cu(II) ions has been realized in both solid and solution states (up to nanomolar concentration). The immobilized Cu(II) metal ions can be selectively removed by chelating agents like ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid without any structural disintegration of the framework, as revealed by the luminescence and gas-adsorption studies.