A novel high sensitive Cd-MOF fluorescent probe for acetone vapor in air and picric acid in water: Synthesis, structure and sensing properties

Abstract A novel three-dimensional luminescence Cd-MOF sensor with the molecular formula {[(CH3)2NH2]2 Cd3(ptptc)2} (complex 1) has been synthesized by using terphenyl-3,3′,5,5′-tetracarboxylic acid (H4ptptc) and Cd(NO3)2·4H2O under solvothermal conditions. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system C2/c space group and consists of one-dimensional channels. Complex 1 exhibits characteristic fluorescence emission (λem = 380 nm) both in solid state and solvents upon excitation at 300 nm. Real-time fluorescence quenching of complex 1 was observed in the fluorescence sensing of acetone vapor and picric acid. Intriguingly, ppm scale detection limit for acetone vapor in air and nano-mole scale detection limit for picric acid in water were observed. Moreover, good reusability and liner/nonlinear relationships were observed in the fluorescent titration.