Through the powerful hydrothermal method, five rare-earth (Re = Dy, Gd, Ho, Pr, and Sm) three-dimensional (3D) cluster-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been synthesized, namely, [Dy­(L)­(H2O)­(DMF)] n (1), {[Gd­(L)­(H2O)­(DMF)]·DMF} n (2), {[Ho­(L)­(H2O)­(DMF)]·0.5DMF} n (3), {[Pr­(L)­(H2O)­(DMF)]·0.5DMF} n (4), and {[Sm­(L)­(H2O)1.55(DMF)0.45]·DMF} n (5; H3L = terphenyl-3,4″,5-tricarboxylic acid), which have been determined by single crystal X-ray analyses and PXRD characterization. Structural analyses reveal that, in 1–5, these L3– ligands are linked by five different rare-earth centers, forming the iso-structural nanoporous frameworks. PXRD patterns of bulky samples 1–5 also are consistent with theoretical PXRD patterns confirming their purity. Solid state photoluminesce of free H3L and 1–5 at room temperature also has been investigated indicating strong ligand-based emissions. Besides these, fluorescent dye Rhodamine B (RhB) can be introduced into MOF1 forming the composite material RhB@MOF1 with a high quantum yield of 35%. It is noted that, through deliberately tuning the morphologies of nanoparticle MOF1 under different ultrasonic conditions, RhB@MOF1 can be utilized as the first ratiometric fluorescent sensor to effectively discriminate l- and d-lysine from other amino acid molecules with high K sv values and low LOD values. On the other hand, 2 was for the first time to be utilized as an excellent bifunctional MOFs-based sensing platform to detect insulin and Al3+ with a low detection limit in the human serum solution.

A dramatic N-substituent controlled tandem annulation of 2-(2-(2-bromoethyl)phenyl)-1-sulfonylaziridines with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds has been developed. When the N-substituent was a 4-methylbenzenesulfonyl group (Ts), sequential ring opening of aziridines, nucleophilic substitution, and lactamization took place to provide a series of hexahydrobenz[ e]isoindole compounds in good yields with good diastereoselectivities. By contrast, 3-benzazepine compounds were afforded in good yields via ring opening of aziridines and nucleophilic substitution when the N-substituent was the 4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl group (Ns).

An efficient AgOTf-catalyzed sequential reaction involving the oxidative ring-opening of aziridines by DMSO and aza-Michael addition has been developed. A series of 2,3-dihydro-4(1H)-isoquinolones were afforded in moderate to good yields by the formation of one new C[double bond, length as m-dash]O bond and one new C-N bond. The features of this sequential reaction include high bonding efficiency, use of a catalytic amount of catalysts, a broad substrate scope and mild conditions. This methodology provides a good choice for constructing the libraries of 2,3-dihydro-4(1H)-isoquinolones.