Metal organic Frameworks (MOFs) are complexes with strong coordination between the metal ions or clusters and the organic linkers. The geometry of the metals can be tuned and predicted to some degree, leading to specific solid state structures, which may extend in 1, 2 or 3 dimensions and may include open channels and exhibit solid state fluorescence. Often, the metal cluster coordination geometry is responsible for the overall shape, but the linker itself can influence the overall shape as a result of ligand binding strength and competition with the formamide solvents, which also function as reactants. Here, we altered the synthetic conditions and added functional imidazoles to compete with the stilbene dicarboxylic acid and azobenzene dicarboxylic acids to provide controllable spacing and geometries in various MOFs to yield a controllable, unprecedented series of MOFs. The emission of stilbenes is highly dependent upon spacing from other stilbenes in the solid state. Likewise, the emission from azobenzene is quenched, but can be increased by rigidification in particular geometries and isomeric forms. The synthesis, materials characterization, and both steady-state and time-resolved emission of these MOFs will be shown, along with studies of photostability and addition of guest molecules to further tune the emission properties.

Engineering stilbene and azobenzene-based metal organic frameworks for tailored light emission

248th National Meeting (2014)

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