Design and synthesis of metal complexes and covalent organic frameworks for technological, catalytic and biological applications

This study explores the synthesis, characterization, and applications of metal-containing coordination compounds and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) in electrochemical sensing, catalysis, and biology. Novel Cu(II), Cu(I), and Ag(I) coordination complexes incorporating phosphane and phenoxy-ketimines ligands were synthesized, and their chemical and antibacterial properties were evaluated. Additionally, CuI/Schiff base complexes were employed as catalysts for the three-component A3 -coupling reaction to synthesize propargylamines. Further investigations into pyrazolyl-derived ligands led to the development of novel Cu(I)/Cu(II) complexes with modified acetylacetone ligands, assessed for their chemical structures. In the field of electrochemical sensing, a “signal-inversion” photoelectrochemical aptasensor was designed based on a semiconductive Cu2.46Co0.54(HITP)2 MOF and integrated with the manganese ferrite nanozyme-regulation for the selective detection of fumonisin B1. Additionally, a donor-acceptor triazine-containing COF-based electrochemiluminescent immunosensor was developed for trace detection of zearalenone, utilizing a signal “on-off-on” strategy and a CuFe2O4@PDA quencher. Finally, a trinuclear copper cluster-based COF with a high content of Cu- N2 single-atom sites was synthesized and employed in a photoelectrochemical aptasensor for zearalenone detection, incorporating multivariate signal amplification strategies to enhance sensitivity. These findings contribute to advancing coordination chemistry and electrochemical biosensing, providing innovative materials for catalytic applications and food safety monitoring.