Dynamic conformational changes in the molecular rotor of the triangular-shaped AIEgens linker enable diversification of Ln-MOFs with a family of three-connected networks

By regulating reaction conditions to manipulate the twisting angle or conformational changes of the molecular rotor modules in triangular-shaped aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) can induce the formation of lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (<strong>Ln-MOFs</strong>) with 3,8-c, 3²,8-c, and 3³,11-c connected network structures, significantly enriching the 3-c connected network family. This work, to our knowledge, is the first to reveal that alterations in the twist angles of molecular rotor modules in triangular-shaped AIEgens can lead to a serial expansion of the family of topological networks based on 3-c connections. Surprisingly, both <strong>Eu-MOF</strong> and <strong>Tb-MOF</strong> display linear temperature responses with varying sensitivities in the high and low temperature regions, respectively, facilitating the construction of a dual-region ratiometric fluorescence thermometer. What is more noteworthy is that <strong>Tb-MOF</strong> can be easily and efficiently fabricated into thin films, maintaining stable and bright yellow-green luminescence even after multiple foldings, which demonstrates its excellent mechanical flexibility and processability potential. This study not only charts a new course for expanding the topological network structure of <strong>Ln-MOFs</strong> through dynamic AIEgens but also broadens the horizons for the optical applications of multifunctional <strong>Ln-MOFs</strong> emitters.