Multifunctional Eu3+-coordination polymer for highly selective recognition of Fe3+ and MnO4- ions in water and efficient catalytic fixation of carbon dioxide

A stable multifunctional Eu3+-coordination polymer formulated as [Eu(Htzpia)(H(2)tzpia)](n) (Eu-CP-1) has been successfully constructed by the reaction of Eu3+ ion with the new organic ligand 5-(3-(tetrazol-5-yl) phenyl) isophthalic acid (H(3)tzpia) under hydrothermal condition. Eu-CP-1 displays a 2D coordination network, in which 1D uniform chains with (mu-COO)(3) bridges are interlinked by the Htzpia and H(2)tzpia spacers. The 2D networks are associated into 3D architectures through hydrogen bonding interactions. Eu-CP-1 displays excellent luminescence property and exhibits good stability in water. Thus, Eu-CP-1 can be used to detect Fe3+ ions and MnO4- ions with high sensitivity and selectivity through luminescence quenching effect. Due to the presence of open metal sites, free oxygen/nitrogen atoms, and -NH groups of tetrazole rings, Eu-CP-1 can act as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the cycloaddition reaction of carbon dioxide with epoxides under eco-friendly and solvent-free conditions. Interestingly, Eu-CP-1 is highly recyclable and reusable for up to five cycles without an obvious loss in sensing or catalytic efficiency. In addition, the possible relevant mechanisms are also investigated. This work should aid in expanding potential application prospects of the lanthanide CPs in the fields of contaminated ions detection and CO2 cycloaddition.