In the last few years, considerable efforts have been given to develop sensitive and effective sensors for explosive materials and to generate systems which exhibit high luminescence in both solution and solid-state. The increasing number of terrorist activities around the world have prompted scientists to design effective ways to detect and disarm even the trace amount of explosives. The nitroaromatics (NACs) are the common constituents of most of the explosives due to high explosive velocity and ease of availability. The NACs were extensively used as the main constituents in landmines until World War II. Apart from their explosive behavior, the NACs are well-known environmental pollutants. The industrial waste and the leakages from unexploded landmines are the major contributors towards the soil and ground water contamination. Presently for effective detection of trace amount of explosives, skilled canines and metal based detectors are commonly used. The canines are trained for a specific type of explosives which limit their ability to detect different types of substrates. The chemical sensors that work on the principle of colorimetric and/or fluorimetric detection techniques have emerged as suitable alternative due to cheap production cost, portability and sensitivity. Different types of materials including conjugated polymers, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and quantum-dots have been reported as efficient chemosensors for NACs. However, poor solubility in the common organic solvents, low solid-state fluorescence, very high molecular weight and lack of signal amplification have restricted the application of these material for in-field testing. Renewed interests have been invested in small molecule based systems; and metal-organic discrete molecular architectures due to precise control over their photophysical properties and the supramolecular interaction among neighboring molecules that facilitates energy migration among the molecular backbone. On the other hand, recently post-synthetic modification of different molecular systems including MOFs and polymers has emerged as a potential technique to incorporate desired functional groups into the system and to tune their properties with the retention of basic structures. Reports on the post-synthetic modification of discrete metal-organic architectures are rare due to the delicate nature of the metal-organic bonds that ruptures on mild environmental changes. Therefore, post-synthetic functionalization of discrete molecular systems using mild reaction conditions will open up a myriad of possibilities to generate new systems with desired characteristics. Chapter 1 of the thesis will briefly discuss the history of different explosive materials including different detection methodologies that are widely used. It will also include a brief discussion on different small molecular systems with high solid-state luminescence. In Chapter 2, design and synthesis of triphenylamine-based two Platinum(Pt)(II) molecules functionalized with carboxylic acid and ester groups including their organic analogues have been discussed. The triphenylamine core was chosen due its unique non-planarity and luminescence. On the other hand, Pt(II) center was incorporated to increase intermolecular spacing in solid-state that can induce high luminescence. Scheme 1. Schematic representation of fluorescence quenching using small molecules. All the four molecules were found to be highly sensitive towards NACs including picric acid and dinitrophenol. Although the molecules exhibited similar sensitivity in solution, the carboxylic acid analogues demonstrated superior sensitivity in solid-state. Careful observation of the crystal structures of the systems revealed the acid analogues were oriented in a 2-D grid-like pattern that facilitated energy migration among neighboring molecules (Scheme 1.). Chapter 3 describes design, synthesis, and NACs sensing behavior of anthracene-based four purely organic small molecules. The molecules exhibited high selectivity towards picric acid only. All the molecules were found to be highly emissive in both solution and solid-state due to the vinylanthracene backbone (Scheme 2.). Scheme 2. Schematic representation of fluorescence quenching and solid-state sensing behavior. Chapter 4 discusses the strategy to develop mechano-fluorochromic and AIE active triphenylamine-based Pt(II) complex and its organic analogue. The twisted triphenylamine backbone restricted molecular close packing in solid-state; and weak C-H-- interactions were utilized to hinder the motion of the phenyl rings. As a result, the molecules were highly emissive in solid-state. Grinding disrupted the intermolecular interactions and thus mechano-fluorochromic behavior was observed. Due to twisted backbone, the molecules were also found to be AIE active. Both the systems containing terminal aldehyde groups were finally utilized for selective detection of biomolecule cysteine (Scheme 3.). Scheme 3. Mechano-fluorochromic and AIE behavior of the triphenylamine based Pt(II) complex. In Chapter 5 vinylanthracene-based linear donor was used in combination with carbazole-based 90° and triphenylamine-based 120° Pt(II) acceptors to generate (4+4) and (6+6) molecular squares and hexagons, respectively. The vinylanthracene backbone imparts high solution and solid-state luminescence to the system as well as made them AIE active. The molecules were further investigated for the solution and solid-state sensing for NACs and found to be effective for trinitrotoluene (TNT) and dinitrotoluene (DNT) (Scheme 4.). Scheme 4. Schematic representation of AIE active molecular square and its NACs sensing. Chapter 6 describes the formation of Pd3 self-assembled molecular trinuclear barrels containing triphenylamine imidazole donors and Pd(II) acceptors. Using Knoevenagel condensation the aldehyde group present in the barrel was post-synthetically functionalized with Meldrum’s acid. From spectroscopic characterization, it was proved that the structural integrity remained intact after the post-modification treatment (Scheme 6.). Surprisingly, pre-synthetic modification of the donor alone with Meldrum’s acid followed by self-assembly treatment with the Pd(II) ion did not yield trigonal barrel 6.8. Scheme 6. Post-synthetic functionalization of trinuclear barrels using Knoevenagel condensation.(For colour pictures pl see the abstract pdf file)

The present thesis provides a systematic investigation of coordination polymers of 3d, rare-earth (4f) and main group element (Bi) using both rigid aromatic, flexible aliphatic linkers. Luminescent sensing behavior towards nitro aromatics, metal ions and ferroelectric behavior have been investigated using some of the prepared compounds. The possible usefulness of lone pair on the structure has been investigated using bismuth based coordination polymers. The thermal and optical behavior of lanthanide coordination polymers (Ce, Pr and Nd) have also been studied. Chapter 1 An Overview of Coordination Polymer (CP) Compounds This chapter presents a brief introduction to coordination polymer (CP) compounds. Starting from the brief historical background on coordination compounds, this chapter shed light on some earlier developments in this family of compounds by Yaghi, Robson and others. The usefulness of carboxylate and imidazolates in construction of some important coordination polymer compounds like MOF-5, HKUST-1, ZIFs, MIL-53, UiO-66, CD-MOF-1 etc has been described in detail along with its properties. The coordination polymers exhibit many important properties and some of the properties like sorption, separation, ionic conductivity, catalysis and ferroelectricity have been discussed briefly and summerized. Chapter 1 also provides the general synthetic and characterization approaches that have been employed during the present studies. Chapter 2 Part A: Adenine Based Coordination Polymers with Cyclohexane dicarboxylic acids This chapter presents the synthesis, structure and properties of four new coordination polymers [Zn4(C8H10O4)2.5(C5H4N5)3.2H2O].7H2O.2DMA (I), [Cd3(C8H10O4)2(C5H4N5)2.H2O] (II), [Cd(C8H11O4)2(C5H5N5)2.2H2O] (III), [Cd(C8H10O4)(C7H8N5O).H2O]. 4H2O (IV), (CHDA = cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, ad = adenine, DMA = dimethylacetamide, 9-HEA = 9-hydroxyethyl adenine). The compound I and II forms three-dimensional structure having distinct arrangements of 1,4-CHDA and adenine units with Zn and Cd metals respectively. The molecular complex unit is observed in compound III with 1,2-CHDA and adenine. Compound IV forms two-dimensional structure with 9-HEA and 1,2-CHDA. The observation of base-pairing interactions in the above compounds is noteworthy. In compounds I, II and IV amino groups are appears to be free and utilized for the detection of nitro aromatic explosives through fluorescence quenching. The results revealed that the emission behavior of the present compounds is greatly influenced by the hydroxyl nitroaromatic analyses like indophenol, dinitrophenyl and trinitrophenols with very low detection limits. The compound I also exhibits considerable sensitivity towards metal ion detection, especially Fe2+/Fe3+, Cr3+, Ag+ and Hg2+ ions in solution. The presence of free nitrogen sites in compound II has been explored for the base catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation reaction, the quantitative yields are observed with various aldehyde substrates. Part B: Adenine Based Coordination Polymer with Oxydiacetic acid: [Cd2(C4H4O5)2(C5H5N5)].H2O.DMA The synthesis, structure and properties of a Cd based coordination polymer with oxydiacetic acid and adenine, [Cd2(C4H4O5)2(C5H5N5)].H2O. DMA is described. The compound has a two-dimensional structure formed by the connectivity involving Cd and oxydiacetic acid. The adenine ligand binds with the Cd metal center through the pyrimidine nitrogen and hangs in the inter layer spaces. The layers are stacked in a ABAB.... fashion and the inter layer spaces occupied by the dimethyl amine and water molecules. The water molecules are very labile and its removal can be accomplished by heating the sample at 100°C, which is also confirmed by the single crystal XRD, PXRD and IR studies. The availability of free amino groups of adenine molecule has been utilized for the detection of nitroaromatics, especially nitrophenols with good sensitivity. The amino group was also found to be useful in catalyzing Knoevenagel condensation reactions. Chapter 3: Rare-Earth Metal Carboxylates: Ln2(µ3-OH)(C4H4O5)2(C4H2O4)].2H2O [Ln=Ce, Pr and Nd] This chapter describes synthesis, structure and properties of series of rare-earth based compounds, [Ln2(µ3-OH)(C4H4O5)2(C4H2O4)].2H2O (Ln = Ce, Pr and Nd). The malic acid and fumaric acid form part of the structure. The lanthanide centers are connected by the malate units to form a two dimensional layers, which are pillared by fumarate units forming the three-dimensional structure. Overall, structure can be described as I2O1 type inorganic in two-dimension (Ln-O-Ln layers) and organic in one dimension. The extra framework water molecules form a dimer and occupy the channels. The robustness of the framework was reflected in terms of facile removal and reinsertion of the water molecules, which is also confirmed by single crystal XRD, variable temperature IR and cyclic TGA study. The presence of water dimers and weakly interacting water chain suggested the possibility of proton migration in these compounds. Proton conductivity studies reveal the conductivity values of ~2.85 x 10-6 Ω-1cm-1 at 98% relative humidity. The optical studies revealed an up-conversion behavior involving more than one photon for the neodymium compound. Chapter 4: Bismuth Carboxylates with Brucite and Fluorite Related Structures The synthesis, structure and properties of three new bismuth based coordination polymers have been described in this chapter. The compounds [C4N2H10][Bi(C7H4NO4)(C7H3NO4)].H2O (I), [Bi(C5H3N2O4) (C5H2N2O4)] (II) and [Bi(µ2-OH)(C7H3NO4)] (III) were isolated employing hydrothermal condition with three different heterocyclicdicarboxylic acids, 3,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, 4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid and 3,4-pyridinedicarboxylic acid respectively. The structures of all the compounds have linkages between Bi2O2 and the corresponding dicarboxylate forming a simple molecular unit in I, a bilayer arrangement in II and a three-dimensional extended structure in III. The topological arrangement of the nodal building units in the structures resembles brucite related layers in II and fluorite related arrangement in compound III. By utilizing the secondary interactions, the structure of III can be correlated to a Kagome related net. The observation of such classical inorganic related structures in the bismuth carboxylates is noteworthy. Heterogeneous catalytic studies indicate Lewis acidic nature in the bismuth center in all three compounds. Chapter 5: Solvent dependent Delamination, Restacking and Ferroelectric studies in a Two-Dimensional Compound [NH4][Ag3(C9H5NO4S)2(C13H14N2)2].8H2O This chapter describes synthesis, structure, water dependent delamination/restacking and ferroelectric behavior in a layered coordination polymer compound, [NH4][Ag3(C9H5NO4S)2(C13H14N2)2].8H2O. The compound has a two-dimensional structure with the water molecules occupying the inter-lamellar spaces. The lattice water molecules can be fully removed and reinserted, which accompany the crystalline-amorphous-crystalline transformation. This transformation resembles the collapse/delamination and re-stacking of the layers. This transformation has also been investigated by in-situ IR and PXRD studies. The presence of a natural dipole (anionic framework and cationic ammonium ions) along with the non-centrosymmetric space group gives rise to a room-temperature ferroelectric behavior to the compound with saturation polarization (Ps) of 1.95 μC/cm2 and remnant polarization of 0.63 μC/cm2. The temperature dependent dielectric measurements indicate that the ferroelectric-paraelectric transformation occurs at 320 K. The ferroelectric-paraelectric transformation also follows the crystalline-amorphous-crystalline transitions.

MOF-5 ist der Archetyp einer neuartigen Klasse hochporöser Materialien, den Metal Organic Frameworks, die unter anderem zur Anwendung als effektive Gasspeicher geeignet sind. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit werden die seiner Bildung zugrunde liegenden Reaktionen untersucht. Aus den Erkenntnissen dieser Untersuchungen wurden zwei neue Syntheseverfahren entwickelt. Eines der Verfahren beruht auf der Phasenumwandlung von Zinkterephthalaten und ermöglichte die Laborsynthese von MOF-5 in 100 g-Mengen. Ein zweites Verfahren bedient sich des Strukturaufbaus mit Hilfe vorgefertigter anorganischer Cluster, wodurch erstmals die Synthese von MOF-5-Homologen anderer Metalle als Zink gelang.

Two-dimensional conjugated metal–organic frameworks (2D c-MOFs), possessing extended π–d conjugated planar structure, are emerging as a unique class of electronic materials due to their intrinsic electrical conductivities. Taking advantage of the large-area flat surface, 2D c-MOF thin films allow facile device integration with sufficient electrode contact, high device stability, and high charge transport, thereby emerging as appealing active layers for a broad range of electronic applications. Synthesis and device investigation of thin films are of great importance for their further development, which are systematically summarized in the current review. Here, the authors firstly introduce the molecular structures of representative 2D c-MOFs and present the fundamental understanding on structure–property relationships. After that, the state-of-art synthetic methodologies toward high-quality 2D c-MOF thin films are summarized, including exfoliation and reassembly (ERA), liquid-interface-assisted synthesis (LIAS), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). By considering the advantages of 2D c-MOF films in device integration, remarkable progress in (opto-)electronic device applications are discussed, such as field-effect transistors (FETs), chemiresistive sensors, photodetectors, superconductors, and thermoelectrics. In the end, the remained challenges about the development of 2D c-MOF films for (opto-)electronics are highlighted and possible future directions are proposed to address these challenges.