1,4‐Phenylenediacetate‐Based Ln MOFs – Synthesis, Structures, Luminescence, and Catalytic Activity

Abstract

AbstractA series of new isostructural lanthanide MOFs, [Ln2(pda)3(H2O)]·2H2O [Ln = La (1), Ce(2), Pr(3), Nd(4), Sm(5), Eu(6), Gd(7), Tb(8), Dy(9), Ho(10), Er(11), Tm(12), and Yb(13); H2dpa = 1,4‐phenylenediacetate], have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal (or/and powder) X‐ray diffraction analysis. All the MOFs are isostructural and consist of 1D Ln–COO helixes that are cross‐linked by the –CH2C6H4CH2– spacers of the pda2– anions in a 3D compressed honeycomb‐shaped network with 1D open channels, which accommodate guest and coordinated water molecules. Evacuation of [Ln2(pda)3(H2O)]·2H2O at 200 °C under vacuum generates [Ln2(pda)3], which gives X‐ray powder diffraction patterns consistent with those of [Ln2(pda)3(H2O)]·2H2O. MOFs 6 and 8 show characteristic luminescent properties. Activated [Tb2(pda)3] exhibits excellent catalytic performance in the heterogeneous acetalization of benzaldehyde with methanol. The possibility for easy recycling makes this catalyst a highly promising candidate to address environmental concerns.