Reversible proton-switchable fluorescence controlled by conjugation effect in an organically-functionalized polyoxometalate

A novel monosubstituted organoimido hexamolybdate containing 6-nitroquinoline moiety has been successfully synthesized. This organically-functionalized polyoxometalate exhibits proton-induced switchable fluorescence property in aqueous acetonitrile solution at room temperature. Experimental and theoretical investigations of this reversible “on” and “off” switching mechanism have been carried out, and it is found that the protonation and deprotonation at the heterocyclic nitrogen atom within quinoline fragment leads to the breaking and reformation of the conjugation through strong d-π interaction between the hexamolybdate anionic cluster and the quinoline moiety, resulting in “on” and “off” luminescence signal.