A microporous lanthanum metal–organic framework as a bi-functional chemosensor for the detection of picric acid and Fe 3+ ions

A microporous lanthanum metal-organic framework [La(TPT)(DMSO)2]·H2O (La-MOF ()), has been synthesized using a rigid unsymmetrical tricarboxylate ligand of p-terphenyl-3,4'',5-tricarboxylic acid (H3TPT). The structure of is constructed by bi-nuclear lanthanum clusters and fully deprotonated TPT(3-) ligands, which can be simplified into a 3,6-connected flu-3,6-C2/c topology with a point symbol of (4(4)·6)2(4·6(2)·8(7)·10(2)). The π-electron rich ligand H3TPT enables to have blue luminescence when excited at 342 nm at ambient temperature. Meanwhile, exhibits the selective detection of picric acid (PA) and Fe(3+) ions in ethanol solution over other nitroaromatic compounds and metal ions. The high quenching efficiency and selectivity of makes it a potential bi-functional chemosensor for both PA and Fe(3+) ions.