Solvothermal reactions of AgNO₃ with 9,10-anthraquinone-1,5-dicarboxylic acid (H₂L) and 4,4'-bipyridine (bipy) gave rise to a metal-organic framework, namely [Ag(L)(bipy)]_n (1), which was structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that 1 exhibits a 2D 4⁴ topology framework assembled by dinuclear [Ag₂(COO)₂] units, L and bipy ligands. 1 displays highly sensitivity in the detection of nitrobenzene (NB) as a fluorescent sensor. Moreover, 1 exhibits a relatively good photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution under UV irradiation.

With a hyperbranched poly(amidoamine) core and many water-soluble poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether arms connected by pH-sensitive acylhydrazone bonds, multiarm hyperbranched polymer was used as nanoreactor and reductant to prepare metal nanoparticles endowed with intelligence and biocompatibility. The multiarm hyperbranched polymer encapsulated nanoparticles (NPs) showed excellent catalytic activity for hydrogenation, thus an excellent catalyst system for hydrogenation was established. The rate constants could reach as high as 3.48 L·s⁻¹·m⁻², which can be attributed to the lack of surface passivation afforded by the multiarm hyperbranched polymer.

Three different metal–organic frameworks, [Zn₅(L)₄(H₂tpim)₂(FA)₄(H₂O)₂]_n (1), [Zn(L)(Htpim)]_n (2) and [Zn(L)(Htpim)]_n (3) (HFA = formic acid), have been synthesized in a one-pot solvothermal reaction of Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, 5-nitroisophthalic acid (H₂L), and 2,4,5-tri(4-pyridyl)-imidazole (Htpim). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that compound 1 is a double layer 2D {4·6·7²·8·9}{4·6·8}₃{6·7·9}₂{7²·10} topology network because of the existence of FA. In contrast, 2 displays an irregular 2D (4⁴) topology, while 3 exhibits a 2D parallelogrammic (4⁴) topology net built by symmetrical L and Htpim ligands in an up and down mode with binuclear [Zn₂(COO)₂] units. As far as the ratios of Zn/L/Htpim are concerned, 2 and 3 can be considered as isomers. The thermal stabilities, luminescence properties, selective fluorescence sensing and photocatalytic activities of 1–3 were also investigated. They all display high sensitivity as fluorescent sensors in the detection of acetone (ACE). Moreover, 1–3 exhibit relatively good photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of rhodamine B in aqueous solution under UV irradiation.

Three MOFs display high sensitivity in the detection of NB and Ca²⁺ or Co²⁺ ions as luminescent probes. Moreover, 3 exhibits a relatively good photocatalytic degradation activity of rhodamine B.

Two luminescent Zn(II) and Cd(II) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing 1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid (H₄L’) and 4,4'-bipyridine (4bpy), [ZnL(4bpy)_0.5(DMA)]_n (1) and [CdL(4bpy)_0.5]_n (2) (L = 1,8-monoanhydride-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylate, DMA = N,N-dimethyl acetamide), were synthesized and characterized through X-ray diffraction, IR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. 1 shows a 1D linear chain structure, while 2 shows a 2D baluster structure. Both show multiple H bonding and π-stacking interactions. Both compounds show ligand-based luminescence in the range 400-500 nm with contributions from both ligands. The luminescence is strongly dependent on the presence of potentially coordinating molecules. Luminescence quenching experiments show good sensitivities in detecting nitrobenzene (NB), Fe³⁺ and Cr₂O₇²⁻.