Highly selective C2H2 and CO2 capture and photoluminescence properties of two Tb(III)-based MOFs

Abstract Two new complexes, namely, [Tb0.5L(HCOO)0.5]n (1), {[Tb2(L)4(H2O)]·2NO3}n (2) were solvothermally constructed based on N-heterocyclic dicarboxylate ligand (H2L, 4-(1-(4-carboxylatobenzyl)pyridinium-4-yl)benzoic). Complex 1 is a 3D porous framework. 2 is a 3D supramolecular architecture constructed from 1D chains linked by hydrogen bondings. In addition, the results of solid state fluorescence studies show that complexes 1 and 2 exhibit excellent fluorescence properties. Dramatically, the gas sorption behaviour investigation manifests that the desolvated 1a displays higher uptake capacities for CO2 and C2H2 and high selectivity for C2H2 and CO2 over CH4.