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

Abstract A novel luminescent terbium metal-organic framework [Tb(HL)(H 2 O) 4 ]·H 2 O ( 1 ) has been successfully prepared by the facile hydrothermal reaction of Tb(NO 3 ) 3 ·6 H 2 O and the π-conjugated ligand H 4 L (H 4 L=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.