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.