A microporous anionic metal-organic framework for aqueous encapsulation and highly reversible sensitization of light-emitting Tb3+ ions

A novel porous anionic MOF, [H2N(CH3)(2)][KZn2(bpyp)(dcba)(2)]center dot DMF center dot 1.5H(2)O (Me2NH2@MOF-1), having exchangeable cations in 1D channels, has been synthesized and characterized. Specifically, the anionic MOF was shown to be able to serve as both a host and an antenna for protecting and sensitizing extra-framework light-emitting Eu3+/Tb3+ ions aqueously encapsulated within the MOF pores. Furthermore, the Tb3+ uptake and release was found to be a reversible process and the cationic Tb3+ can be gradually released.