A polyhedron-based porous Tb(III)–organic framework with dual emissions for highly selective detection of Al3+ ion

Abstract

A polyhedron-based porous Tb(III)–organic framework (Me2NH2)3[Tb9(BTB)8(H2O)6(OH)6]·20DMF (1, H3BTB = 1,3,5-benzenetribenzoatic acid) has been successfully constructed using the luminescent Tb(III) centers as nodes and BTB3− ligands as linkers. The single crystal X-ray diffraction study reveals that complex 1 features a hydroxyl bridged {Tb3(OH)2(CO2)4}3+ secondary building unit (SBU) which is further connected by the BTB3− ligands to afford a polyhedron-stacking framework. The gas sorption studies on the activated 1 reveal its microporous character and better affinity toward C2H2 than CO2. More importantly, complex 1 exhibits highly sensitive sensing of Al3+ ions via tuning the energy transfer efficiency between the ligand-based and Tb(III)-based emissions.