No abstract

Photoluminescent lanthanide-organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) were printed onto plastic and paper foils with a conventional inkjet printer. Ln-MOF inks were used to reproduce color images that can only be observed under UV light irradiation. This approach opens a new window for exploring Ln-MOF materials in technological applications, such as optical devices (e.g., lab-on-a-chip), as proof of authenticity for official documents.

In this work, we report a theoretical and experimental investigation of the energy transfer mechanism in two isotypical 2D coordination polymers, ∞ [(Tb 1−x Eu x )(DPA)(HDPA)], where H 2 DPA is pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylic acid and x = 0.05 or 0.50. Emission spectra of ∞ [(Tb 0.95 Eu 0.05 )(DPA)(HDPA)] and ∞ [(Tb 0.5 Eu 0.5 )(DPA)-(HDPA)], (1) and (2), show that the high quenching effect on Tb 3+ emission caused by Eu 3+ ion indicates an efficient Tb 3+ →Eu 3+ energy transfer (ET). The k ET of Tb 3+ → Eu 3+ ET and rise rates (k r ) of Eu 3+ as a function of temperature for (1) are on the same order of magnitude, indicating that the sensitization of the Eu 3+ 5 D 0 level is highly fed by ET from the 5 D 4 level of Tb 3+ ion. The η ET and R 0 values vary in the 67− 79% and 7.15 to 7.93 Å ranges. Hence, Tb 3+ is enabled to transfer efficiently to Eu 3+ that can occupy the possible sites at 6.32 and 6.75 Å. For (2), the ET processes occur on average with η ET and R 0 of 97% and 31 Å, respectively. Consequently, Tb 3+ ion is enabled to transfer energy to Eu 3+ localized at different layers. The theoretical model developed by Malta was implemented aiming to insert more insights about the dominant mechanisms involved in the ET between lanthanides ions. Calculated single Tb 3+ → Eu 3+ ETs are three orders of magnitude inferior to those experimentally; however, it can be explained by the theoretical model that does not consider the role of phonon assistance in the Ln 3+ → Ln 3+ ET processes. In addition, the Tb 3+ → Eu 3+ ET processes are predominantly governed by dipole−dipole (d−d) and dipole−quadrupole (d−q) mechanisms.

In the present mini-review we discuss the findings, controversies, and gaps observed for the Ugi four-component reaction. The Ugi multicomponent reaction, performed by mixing an aldehyde, an amine, a carboxylic acid, and an isocyanide, is among the most important isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (MCRs), allowing multiple bond formations (C−C and C−N) in a single synthetic step. The possibility of two reaction pathways and the little understood solvent effect over this transformation renders this reaction as one of the hardest challenges to overcome. The little knowledge of the mechanism of the Ugi MCR hinders the development of new and efficient chiral catalytic systems to further the application of the derivatives obtained by enantioselective versions. The asymmetric transformation is in this context a bigger challenge, and little is known about the mechanism of these few available versions. The new trend of functional chromophore synthesis by MCRs is also highlighted, and the few examples already disclosed in the literature exemplify the huge opportunity for investigation and creative ideas using the Ugi four-component reaction.

We report on the hydrothermal synthesis of the [Eu(DPA)(HDPA)(H(2)O)(2)].4H(2)O lanthanide-organic framework (where H2DPA stands for pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid), its full structural characterization including single-crystal X-ray diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy studies, plus detailed investigations on the experimental and predicted (using the Sparkle/PM3 model) photophysical luminescent properties. We demonstrate that the Sparkle/PM3 model arises as a valid and efficient alternative to the simulation and prediction of the photoluminescent properties of lanthanide-organic frameworks when compared with methods traditionally used. Crystallographic investigations showed that the material is composed of neutral one-dimensional coordination polymers infinity(1)[Eu(DPA)(HDPA)(H(2)O)(2)] which are interconnected via a series of hydrogen bonding interactions involving the water molecules (both coordinated and located in the interstitial spaces of the structure). In particular, connections between bilayer arrangements of infinity(1)[Eu(DPA)(HDPA)(H(2)O)(2)] are assured by a centrosymmetric hexameric water cluster. The presence of this large number of O-H oscillators intensifies the vibronic coupling with water molecules and, as a consequence, increases the number of nonradiative decay pathways controlling the relaxation process, ultimately considerably reducing the quantum efficiency (eta = 12.7%). The intensity parameters (Omega(2), Omega(4), and Omega(6)) were first calculated by using both the X-ray and the Sparkle/PM3 structures and were then used to calculate the rates of energy transfer (W(ET)) and back-transfer (W(BT)). Intensity parameters were used to predict the radiative decay rate. The calculated quantum yield obtained from the X-ray and Sparkle/PM3 structures (both of about 12.5%) are in good agreement with the experimental value (12.0 +/- 5%). These results clearly attest for the efficacy of the theoretical models employed in all calculations and create open new interesting possibilities for the design in silico of novel and highly efficient lanthanide-organic frameworks.