Dynamic conformational changes in the molecular rotor of the triangular-shaped AIEgens linker enable diversification of Ln-MOFs with a family of three-connected networks

Abstract Regulating reaction conditions to manipulate the twisting angle or conformational changes of the molecular rotor modules in triangular-shaped aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) can induce the formation of lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) with 3,8-c, 32,8-c, and 33,11-c connected network structures, significantly enriching the 3-c connected network family. This work, to our knowledge, is the first to reveal that alterations in the twist angles of molecular rotor modules in triangular-shaped AIEgens can lead to a serial expansion of the family of topological networks based on 3-c connections. Surprisingly, both Eu-MOF and Tb-MOF display linear temperature responses with varying sensitivities in the high and low temperature regions, respectively, facilitating the construction of a dual-region ratiometric fluorescence thermometer. What is more noteworthy is that Tb-MOF can be easily and efficiently fabricated into thin films, maintaining stable and bright yellow-green luminescence even after multiple foldings, which demonstrates its excellent mechanical flexibility and processability potential. This study not only charts a new course for expanding the topological network structure of Ln-MOFs through dynamic AIEgens but also broadens the horizons for the optical applications of multifunctional Ln-MOFs emitters.