A microporous Tb-MOF luminescent sensor based on a flexible tricarboxylate for highly sensitive detection of acetone and Fe3+ ions in aqueous and isopropanol

Abstract One novel microporous terbium (III) framework, [Tb(DBB)(H2O)2](1), has been prepared from 4-(3,5-dicarboxylatobenzyloxy) benzoic acid (DBB) with terbium salt under hydrothermal condition. Structural analysis shows complex 1 possesses three-dimensional frameworks based on 2D double sheets linking by DBB ligands into porous channels. The gas adsorption experiments of N2 and CO2 show that complex 1 possesses microporous properties. Fluorescence analyses exhibit the characteristic luminescence of Tb3+ ion both in solid state and in aqueous. In particular, the Tb-MOF can detect acetone for its luminescence entirely quenching in acetone. Furthermore, the ionic detection experiments indicate complex 1 could be a good sensor for highly and sensitively sensing Fe3+ ion in aqueous and isopropanol, and the detection limit could reach at 10−9 M in aqueous.