Organization and Energy Transfer of Fused Aromatic Hydrocarbon Guests within Anion-Confining Nanochannel MOFs

The self‐assembly of ZnII ions with 1,3,5‐tris(isonicotinoyloxyethyl)cyanurate produces new topological (42⋅124)3(43)4 2D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with anion‐confining cages. The eclipsed assembly of each 2D MOF by π–π stacking of cyanurate moieties (3.352(5) Å) forms 3D MOFs consisting of nanochannels (10.5 Å). Two of the three anions are confined in each peanut‐type cage, resulting in hydrophobicity of the nanochannels. The hydrophobic nanochannel effectively adsorbs a wide range of fused aromatic hydrocarbons (FAHs) as monomers or dimers, rendering it potentially highly useful as an energy‐transfer material. Slotted into place: The direct inclusion and organization of fused aromatic hydrocarbons (FAHs) within the hydrophobic 1D nanochannels of 3D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) [Zn3L4(CH3CN)6](X)6 (L=1,3,5‐tris(isonicotinoyloxyethyl)cyanurate; X−=BF4− and ClO4−) is reported. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) with the nanochannels from one FAH derivative to another is described.