The Effect of Linker‐to‐Metal Energy Transfer on the Photooxidation Performance of an Isostructural Series of Pyrene‐Based Rare‐Earth Metal–Organic Frameworks (Small 36/2023)

Rare-Earth Metals Article number 2302173 by Ashlee J. Howarth and co-workers focuses on the design and synthesis of nine new isostructural rare-earth cluster-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The rare-earth ions used are highlighted on the periodic table in the image. The MOF, named CU-10 (CU = Concordia University), is comprised of pyrene-based linkers that when excited with UV-light can be used to generate singlet oxygen. The image shows the pyrene-based linkers being excited with rays of UV-light. The singlet oxygen is used to selectively oxidize and detoxify a mustard gas simulant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, and the reaction is performed in methanol. The work highlights how linker-to-metal energy transfer from the pyrene linker to different rare-earth metal ions effects the generation of singlet oxygen and subsequent oxidation reaction.