Detection of polychlorinated benzenes (persistent organic pollutants) by a luminescent sensor based on a lanthanide metal-organic framework

Based on a coordination symmetry approach, a luminescent lanthanide metal-organic framework (Ln-MOF), {[ Eu-2(L)(3)(DMF)(2)]. DMF. MeOH}(n) (Ln-MOF 1, H2L = 5-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl) benzene-1,3dicarboxylicacid), with a 3,8-connectedtfz-d net was synthesized. Ln-MOF 1 exhibits a strong red luminescence induced by the efficient antenna effect of the ligand. More importantly, Ln-MOF 1 luminescence is efficiently quenched upon exposure to polychlorinated benzenes, which are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and cause permanent damage to human health and living environments.