A dual linker metal-organic framework demonstrating ligand-based emission for the selective detection of carbon tetrachloride

[Display omitted] •Synthesis and characterization of a dual-ligand luminescent metal-organic framework.•Selective luminescence-based detection of carbon tetrachloride over similar VOCs.•Turn-on sensing as a result of interaction between carbon tetrachloride and the anthracene linker. A novel luminescent metal-organic framework (LMOF) was synthesized through the incorporation of a molecular fluorophore and an anthracene-based colinker into a Zn-based structure. The compound crystallizes in a body-centered orthorhombic crystal system (space group: Imma). The three-dimensional porous network of Zn4(adc)4(tppe) (LMOF-271) exhibits no interpenetration and is classified as a 2-nodal, (4,6)-c net (sqc124 type) with (4-c)(6-c)2 stoichiometry. LMOF-271 contains two-dimensional sheets of paddle-wheel-type Zn-SBUs interconnected by anthracene-based colinkers, with tetradentate chromophores linking the nets together. Pristine LMOF-271 emits blue light (λem=475nm) upon UV excitation (λex=365nm). LMOF-271 selectively detects the toxic environmental contaminant carbon tetrachloride over similar volatile organic solvents, namely dichloromethane and chloroform. This work represents the first study making use of a LMOF to selectively and effectively detect carbon tetrachloride via luminescence signal change with a high KSV value of 48,903M−1 and a detection limit of 22ppb.