A novel fluorescence probe for sensing organic amine vapors from a Eu3+ β-diketonate functionalized bio-MOF-1 hybrid system

A classic anionic metal–organic framework (bio-MOF-1, Zn8(ad)4(BPDC)6O·2Me2NH2 (BPDC = biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylate, Ad = adeninate)) encapsulating Eu3+-β-diketonate complexes via cation exchange can be used for sensing volatile organic molecules, especially volatile amines, which is of great significance for environmental and industrial monitoring. Subsequently, the Eu3+-β-diketonate functionalized hybrid system can sensitively detect volatile organic amines by exhibiting a distinct color variation. This means the luminescence intensity of the 5D0 → 7F2 transition can be significantly enhanced in a basic environment such as diethylamine and dramatically decreased in an acidic environment like formic acid. The change in environment is accompanied by a colour change from bright red in diethylamine to light purple in formic acid.