Solvent-Induced Controllable Synthesis, Single-Crystal to Single-Crystal Transformation and Encapsulation of Alq3 for Modulated Luminescence in (4,8)-Connected Metal–Organic Frameworks

In this work, for the first time, we have systematically
demonstrated
that solvent plays crucial roles in both controllable synthesis of
metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and their structural transformation
process. With solvent as the only variable, five new MOFs with different
structures have been constructed, in which one MOF undergoes solvent-induced
single-crystal to single-crystal (SCSC) transformation that involves
not only solvent exchange but also the cleavage and formation of coordination
bonds. Particularly, a significant crystallographic change has been
realized through an unprecedented three-step SCSC transformation process.
Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the obtained MOF could be an
excellent host for chromophores such as Alq3 for modulated luminescent
properties.