A unique zinc-organic framework constructed through in situ ligand synthesis for conversion of CO under mild conditions and as a luminescence sensor for CrO/CrO.

A novel zinc-organic framework, {[Zn(tza)(μ-OH)(HO)]·HO} (1) (Htza = 1H-tetrazolate-5-acetic acid), was synthesized through an in situ generated tetrazole ligand under hydrothermal conditions. In compound 1, tza ligands and Zn are interlinked to form 2D layers, which are further pillared through μ-OH groups to generate a 3D framework. Thermogravimetric analysis and powder X-ray diffraction confirm that 1 has high thermal stability, pH stability and solvent stability. Catalytic studies show that 1 exhibits excellent catalytic ability for the cycloaddition of CO with epoxides under 50 °C and 0.1 MPa. Importantly, 1 can be reused at least six times. Furthermore, luminescence investigations indicate that 1 can serve as a recyclable luminescence sensor to efficiently detect CrO/CrO, and the detection limit can reach 10 mol L and 4 × 10 mol L, respectively.