A luminescent terbium metal-organic framework for selective sensing of nitroaromatic compounds in high sensitivity

A novel luminescent terbium metal-organic framework [Tb(HL)(H2O)(4)] center dot H2O (1) has been successfully prepared by the facile hydrothermal reaction of Tb(NO3)(3)center dot 6 H2O and the pi-conjugated ligand H4L (H4L=1,1'-biphenyl-2,3,3',5'-tetracarboxylic acid). Single crystal structure analysis reveals that 1 exhibits a 2D layered structure. The solid sample of 1 emits high bright green light which can be readily observed by the naked eye when excited at 288 nm at ambient temperature. Interestingly, the luminescence of fine grinding 1 particles dispersed in ethanol can be selectively and sensitively quenched by nitroaromatic compounds, which indicates that 1 is a potential luminescent sensory material for nitro explosives. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.