A unique Zn(ii)-based MOF fluorescent probe for the dual detection of nitroaromatics and ketones in water

Abstract

We herein report a fluorescent Zn(II)-supported metal–organic framework (MOF) [Zn₄(Hbpvp)₂(BTC)₃(HCOO)(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O (1) (bpvp = 3,5-bis-(2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl)pyridine; H₃BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) assembled from solvothermal reactions of ZnSO₄·7H₂O with bpvp and H₃BTC ligands. Compound 1 has a unique two-dimensional (2D) layer structure and exhibits a high sensitivity and a low limit of detection of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ for both 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) and p-benzoquinone (p-BQ) in aqueous solutions, inferred from fluorescence quenching studies. The fluorescent intensity of 1 recovers upon removal of analytes, making it a promising recyclable dual-targeted luminescent probe for 2,4-DNP and p-BQ in water.