Microporous Lanthanide-Organic Frameworks with Open Metal Sites: Unexpected Sorption Propensity and Multifunctional Properties

Isostructural lanthanide-organic frameworks were prepared by a solvothermal reaction of the corresponding metal ions and the phosphine-oxide-based tricarboxylate ligand. The gravimetric gas uptake was unexpectedly increased when going from Nd3+ to Gd3+, which is associated with the enhanced surface areas and electrostatic interactions between exposed metal ions and gas molecules with quadrupole moments.