A highly sensitive multifunctional Eu-MOF sensor with pentacarboxylate for fluorescence detecting acetone, Cu2+ and Cr2O72−, and electrochemical detection of TNP

A novel Eu-MOF sensor, named as [Eu5(DBA)3]n (1), has been prepared based on 3,5-di(2′,4′-dicarboxylphenyl) benozoic acid (H5DBA) and europium nitrate under solvothermal condition. Structural analysis shows that the binuclear and polynuclear inorganic building untis to form stable microporous structure based on the wholly deprotonated DBA ligands. The microporous structure of 1 has been verified by the gas adsorption experiment of N2. Fluorescence studies show that Eu-MOF can detect acetone molecules, Cu2+ ion and Cr2O72− anion with high sensitivity and selectivity, and can also be used for electrochemical detection of exposed 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) in water. The high selective and sensitive detection ability of complex 1 might make it a potential multifunctional sensor in the future.