A water-stable Tb(III) coordination polymer based on 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid: Synthesis, structure, color-tunable fluorescence and sensing properties

Abstract A new water-stable Tb(III)-based coordination polymer (CP), {[Tb(HCpIDC)(H2O)2]·2H2O}n (1) (H4CpIDC = 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,5-imidazole dicarboxylic acid) was synthesized under hydrothermal condition, and characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyses, infrared analyses, elemental analyses and thermogravimetric analyses. CP 1 exhibited a 2D (3,6)-connected kgd network with the Point Symbol of {43}2{46.66.83} formed by HCpIDC3− anions μ4 − bridging Tb(III) ions. The solid-state luminescent property of CP 1 was characterized and the results revealed that it exhibits fascinating excitation-wavelength dependent fluorescence property and may be a potential color-tunable fluorescence material. In addition, the luminescent emissions of CP 1 can be enhanced by addition of trace amount of Al3+ demonstrating its potential application for detection of Al3+ ion.