Multifunctional lanthanide–organic frameworks for fluorescent sensing, gas separation and catalysis

Two lanthanide MOFs based on 3,3'-((2,3,6,7-tetramethoxyanthracene-9,10-diyl)bis(4,1-phenylene))diacrylic acid (H2LOMe), [Eu(LOMe)1.5(H2O)2]·3.5DMA·2H2O (1) and [Pr(LOMe)(H2O)4]·2.5DMA·3H2O (2) were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Complex 1 displayed a 2D net with single nodal 44-sql topology, which further formed a 3D supramolecular architecture by strong π⋯π interaction. Complex 2 featured a 3D open framework with {42·84}-PtS topology. The PL spectrum results showed that 2 has potential application not only in the sensing of small organic molecules, such as DMF and NB, but also in detecting Al3+ and nitroaromatic derivatives. Furthermore, 2 also showed the selective adsorption of CO2 over CH4 and high catalytic activities with the cyanosilylation reaction.