A microporous metal-organic open framework containing uncoordinated carbonyl groups as postsynthetic modification sites for cation exchange and Tb3+ sensing

A novel 3D microporous compound [Zn-3(Httca)(2)(4,4'-bpy)(H2O)(2)](n) (MOF-COOH) containing uncoordinated carbonyl groups pointing to the pores was prepared. The uncoordinated carbonyl groups in the channels can act as postsynthetic modification sites for cation exchange. The MOF-COOH compound can effectively and selectively serve as an antenna for sensitizing the visible-emitting Tb3+ cation.