A tubular europium-organic framework exhibiting selective sensing of Fe3+ and Al3+ over mixed metal ions

A luminescent europium-organic framework with tubular channels based on the H(4)BTMIPA ligand (H(4)BTMIPA = 5,5'-methylenebis(2,4,6-trimethylisophthalic acid)) was assembled and characterized. The [H2N(CH3)(2)](+) ions as counterions are located in the channels. The cation exchange between [H2N(CH3)(2)](+) and metal ions resulted in complex 1 that can selectively sense Fe3+ and Al3+ ions through fluorescence quenching and enhancement, respectively.