The photoluminescence and gas sorption properties of three Cd(ii) MOFs based on 1,3,5-benzenetribenzoate with –NH2 or –OH groups

Abstract

The functionalization and modification of the ligand 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (H₃BTB) have been realized with amine (NH₂-H₃BTB) and hydroxy (HO-H₃BTB) groups. Three new Cd(II) compounds based on R-H₃BTB ligands (R = –NH₂ and –OH) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compounds 1 and 2 show pillared-layer frameworks and display strong fluorescence emission ability. Compound 3 features a 3D porous framework with trinuclear Cd units linked by the NH₂-BTB ligand. The activated framework of 3 has good gas storage and separation properties for CO₂ and hydrocarbons.