Microporous heterometal–organic framework as a sensor for BTEX with high selectivity

Abstract

Two novel isostructural 3d–4f microporous heterometal–organic frameworks (HMOFs) with high acid/base stability were constructed based on a polydentate carboxylate ligand. Luminescent studies showed that one of the new HMOFs displayed high-sensitivity luminescent sensing functions for BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes), particularly for ethylbenzene. This is the first observation of a 3d–4f HMOF as a chemical sensor for BTEX.