Lanthanide-polyphosphonate coordination polymers combining catalytic and photoluminescence properties

A rapid, mild and high-yield microwave synthesis of 1D isotypical [Ln(H(4)bmt)(H(5)bmt)(H2O)(2)]center dot 3H(2)O coordination polymers is presented. The La3+-based material is highly active as a heterogeneous catalyst in the methanolysis of styrene oxide at nearly room temperature. Eu3+- and Tb3+-doped materials are very effective UV-to-visible light converters.