A Dual Functional 2D MOF Exhibiting Rare Photosalient Effect as well as Selective Pd(II) Sensing in Aqueous Medium.

A Zn(II) based two-dimensional metal-organic framework (2D MOF) [Zn 2 (suc) 2 (4-nvp) 2 ] ( 1 ) [H 2 suc = succinic acid and 4-nvp = 4-(1-naphthylvinyl)pyridine] exhibits a "photosalient effect" under UV light as well as sunlight along with the release of a stereoselective cyclobutane ligand, 1,3-bis(4'-pyridyl)-2,4-bis(naphthyl)cyclobutane ( rctt -4-pncb). Photolysis of in situ generated MOF in solution also leads to the formation of rctt -4-pncb crystals. Interestingly, compound 1 shows a high selectivity for Pd(II) sensing in aqueous medium.