Lanthanide metal–organic frameworks containing a novel flexible ligand for luminescence sensing of small organic molecules and selective adsorption

Abstract

Five lanthanide metal–organic frameworks, [Ln(L)(H₂O)(NMP)]·1.5H₂O (Ln = Ce (1), Pr (2); H₃L = 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene), and [Ln₂(L)₂(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O (Ln = Eu (3), Tm (4), Yb (5)), have been synthesized and characterized. Complexes 1–5 exhibit similar 1D channels through the linkage of Ln-carboxylate chains with the backbones of H₃L ligands. The channels for complexes 1 and 2 are occupied by coordinated NMP molecules. 3 shows potential application for the luminescence sensing of small organic molecules. Moreover, 5 exhibits selective adsorption of CO₂ over N₂ and CH₄ and catalytic activities toward the cyanosilylation reaction.