Ln(III) metal-organic frameworks with 5-nitroisophthalate ligands: Crystal structures and luminescent properties

Two new Ln(III) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on 5-nitroisophthalic acid (H2L), namely [Pr4(L)6(H2O)4]n (I) and [Gd(L)(FA)(H2O)2]n (II) (HFA = formic acid), were prepared by solvothermal reactions and structurally characterized by IR, elemental analysis, XRD, and single crystal X-ray diffraction (CIF files CCDC nos. 971379 (I) and 971380 (II)). A 3D {4.62}{410.617.89}{43}2 topology framework of I and a 3D {4.622}{42.610.83} topology network of II are constructed respectively with different synthetic conditions. Four kinds of coordination modes are observed for dicarboxylate in these two MOFs in total. Notably, the in situ hydrolysis of DMF solvates leads to the formation of formate ions that was observed in the structure of II. Moreover, the luminescent properties of both complexes and corresponding ligand have been investigated.