The reversible photochromic molecule azobenzene was encapsulated into pores of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) using a modified liquid-phase epitaxial layer-by-layer method successfully. The obtained thin film not only has an oriented, homogeneous film with effective guest encapsulation but also has an isomerization between trans- and cis-azobenzene in MOF pores under UV and visible light irradiation. Furthermore, the photoluminescent property was studied for azobenzene loaded HKUST-1 thin film with different temperature. This facile preparation strategy and optical property of photochromic guest encapsulation into porous MOF thin film will provide the development of new optical thin film materials possessing photoswitching and photoluminescent properties.

A 3-fold interpenetrated uninodal 5-connected zfy network, based on a trigonal bipyramid Zn2(CO2)2(NN) unit, with excellent chemical and thermal stability has been synthesized, which shows triple aromatic walls and nanoscale one-dimensional square channels.

Presented here is a chiral three-dimensional indium(III)-organic compound [In(5-Aip)2]·(TPP)·4H2O (1; 5-Aip = 5-aminoisophthalate, TPP = tetraphenylphosphonium). The structure of 1 features an unusual tetrahedral anionic framework containing tetrahedral TPP guests. This compound shows interesting photoluminescent properties and notable catalytic activity on the diethylzinc addition to benzaldehyde. The results reveal that the employment of tetrahedral TPP cations as guests can not only direct the formation of a tetrahedral framework but also help on the improvement of physical properties.

A new microporous Cu(II)-isonicotinate framework Cu(int)2·DMF(1, int = isonicotinate; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) with large open channels filled by guest DMF molecules has been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. It features a typical bcu topology by reducing the dinuclear Cu units as the 8-connected nodes. Such bcu-type framework is much stable after removal of the guest DMF molecules and shows notable CO2 sorption behavior.Presented here is a new microporous Cu(II)-isonicotinate framework with 8-connected bcu topology.Highlights► A new microporous Cu(II)-isonicotinate framework with large open channels filled by guest DMF molecules. ► The typical bcu topology observed in a microporous Cu(II)-isonicotinate framework. ► A stable framework with notable CO2 sorption behavior.

Homochiral framework materials are of current interest due to their potential applications in asymmetric catalysis and enantioselective separation. Four new Cd(II) camphorates (1–4) with 2,2′-bipyridine ligand (= 2,2′-bipy) are successfully synthesized and show distinct structural features. Such rich Cd-cam-2,2′-bipy system is composed of four compounds, [Cd(d-cam)(2,2′-bipy)(DMF)]n (1), [Cd(d-cam)(2,2′-bipy)(H2O)]n (2), [Cd2(d-cam)2(2,2′-bipy)2]n (3) and [Cd2Cu2(d-cam)4(2,2′-bipy)2]n·4nH2O (4), which are obtained under different conditions. Both compounds 1 and 2 show infinite homochiral Cd-camphorate chain, while compounds 3 and 4 exhibit homochiral layered structures based on different dinuclear units. The results demonstrate the rich coordination chemistry of the enantiopure d-camphorate ligand and the structural diversity of metal-camphorate compounds.Graphical abstractHighlights► New homochiral Cd(II)-camphorate coordination polymers with 2,2′-bipyridine ligand. ► Structural diversity of homochiral Cd(II)-camphorates determined by synthetic conditions. ► Rich Cd(II)-camphorates system with chain-like structures and layered structures.

Four homochiral metal camphorates with auxiliary bipyridine ligands are hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. The structure of compound [Cd(d-Hcam)2(bpa)(H2O)]n (1; d-H2cam = d-(+)-camphoric acid, bpa = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)-ethane) presents a rare case where the d-Hcam is not a bridging ligand, but a dangling unit attached to the infinite [Cd(bpa)] chain. Compounds [M2(d-cam)2(4,4′-bipy)(H2O)4]n (M = Co, 2; M = Cd, 3; 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine) are isostructural and have homochiral [M(d-cam)]n chains linked by the 4,4′-bipy ligands into a honeycomb-like 63 layer. Compound [Zn2(d-cam)2(PPE)2]n (4, PPE = 1-(4-pyridyl)-2-(2-pyridyl)-ethylene) consists of the grid-like 44 layers with the dinuclear Zn2(COO)4 units and d-cam ligands, where the PPE ligands are only monodentately coordinated to the dinuclear units and act as the separators between two homochiral layers. The results demonstrate the rich coordination chemistry of the enantiopure d-camphorate ligand and the structural diversity of metal–camphorate compounds.Highlights► Four homochiral metal camphorates with auxiliary bipyridine ligands. ► Rich coordination chemistry of the enantiopure d-camphorate ligand and the structural diversity of metal–camphorate compounds. ► A rare example for d-Hcam to be a dangling ligand.

Two new Cd(II)-tetrazole coordination polymers with different auxiliary anions, namely [Cd10(ATZ)13(ac)2(H2O)2F5]•2H2O (1) and [Cd3(ATZ)4Cl2(C2H5OH)2] (2), were solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Both compounds exhibit interesting three-dimensional Cd-ATZ frameworks, but their coordination networks are totally different and show distinct topologies.Two new Cd-ATZ frameworks with different auxiliary anions exhibit distinct 12-nodal (3,4,5)-connected topology and 3-nodal (3,4)-connected topology, respectively.Research highlights► New Cd(II)-tetrazole coordination polymers with different auxiliary anions. ► Three-dimensional Cd-ATZ frameworks with distinct topologies. ► Anion-controlled versatility of coordination frameworks.

Reported here is an anionic framework material [(CH3)2NH2]2[Cd3(BPTC)2]. (DMF) (1), which features a pillared-layer structure with 1D channels occupied by the guest [(CH3)2NH2]+ cations. The physical properties such as thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and gas adsorption were investigated. Additionally, we find that compound 1 may act as a good luminescent sensor to detect the Tb3+ ion.An anionic framework material [(CH3)2NH2]2[Cd3(BPTC)2].(DMF) (1) with pillared-layer structure, showing 1D channels occupied by the guest [(CH3)2NH2]+ cations, was solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized.Research Highlights► A new microporous metal-3,3′4,4′-benzophenone-tetracarboxylate framework material with 1D open-channels. ► An organically templated 3D anionic framework. ► A microporous material with selective CO2 uptake.

A metal-coordination polymer [Co4(BPTC)2(H20)8].13H2O (1, BPTC = 3,3′4,4′-benzophenone-tetracarboxylate) containing nano-sized channels was hydrothermally synthesized. It has remarkable 3D architecture generated by unique rod-shaped SBUs(SBUs = Secondary Building Units) linked up by T-shaped ligands and present a novel constructional strategy of 3D porous metal-organic framework. One-dimensional water pipes are formed in the channels, which further stabilize the 3D framework.A metal-coordination polymer [Co4(BPTC)2(H20)8].13H2O (1, BPTC = 3,3′4,4′-benzophenone-tetracarboxylate) containing nano-sized channels was hydrothermally synthesized, which reveals a new remarkable 3D architecture generated by unique rod-shaped SBUs(SBUs = Secondary Building Units) linked up by T-shaped ligands.