An In-based metal-organic framework, with 1D nanotubular open channels, In2(OH)(btc)(Hbtc)0.4(L)0.6·3H2O (1), has been synthesized via an in situ ligand reaction, in which 1,2,4-H3btc is partially transformed into the L ligand. Compound 1 exhibits exceptional thermal and chemical stability, especially in water or acidic media. The activated 1 presents highly selective sorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) over dinitrogen. Interestingly, diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy with a carbon monoxide probe molecule demonstrates that both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites are involved in compound 1. As a result, as a heterogeneous Lewis and Brønsted acid bifunctional catalyst, 1 possesses excellent activity and recyclability for chemical fixation of CO2 coupling with epoxides into cyclic carbonates under mild conditions. In addition, the mechanism for the CO2 cycloaddition reaction has also been discussed.

A novel strategy has been developed to construct a highly stable core–shell MOF@COF bifunctional catalyst through strong π–π stacking interaction.

Two hexanuclear Ln(III) cluster-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (Ln = Tb or Eu) and a series of isomorphic bimetallic Ln(III)-MOFs have been synthesized by changing the ratio of Tb(III) and Eu(III) under solvothermal conditions. The excellent linear color tunability (from green to red) makes them suitable for barcode application. In addition, the anionic Ln(III)-MOFs exhibit superior uptake capacity toward methylene blue (MB) by an ion-exchange process, and its reversible adsorption performance makes 1 suitable for removal of organic dye MB. The as-prepared anionic hexanuclear Ln(III) cluster-based MOFs can serve as a multifunctional material for an optical and environmental area.

A universal strategy is developed to construct metal-organic framework (MOF)-based superhydrophobic/superoleophilic materials by the reaction of activated MOFs and octadecylamine. In particular, S-MIL-101­(Cr) composite can efficiently separate chloroform, toluene, petroleum ether, and n-hexane from water with excellent oil–water separation performance, with potential application in the environmental field.

Two series of lanthanide–organic frameworks with the formulas [Ln(BTATB)(DMF)2(H2O)]·DMF·2H2O (Ln = La (1a), Eu (2a), Tb (3a), Er (4a)) and [Ln(BTATB)(H2O)2]·2DMA·4H2O (Ln = Er (1b), Yb (2b), Lu (3b)), respectively, were solvothermally synthesized from 4,4′,4″-(benzene-1,3,5-triyltris(azanediyl))tribenzoate (H3BTATB) and Ln(NO3)3 under DMF or DMA media and characterized by thermogravimetric analyses, IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analyses for these complexes revealed that series A features an interesting 2D interdigitated layer architecture with (6,3) topology. Series B exhibits a 2D bilayer structure. The luminescence properties were studied, and the results showed that complex 3a displayed strong fluorescent emission in the visible region, where the emission intensities of 3a are enhanced upon the addition of Zn2+, demonstrating Zn2+-modulated fluorescence. Yb(III) complex 2b emits typical near-infrared luminescence (983 nm) in DMF (λex = 315 nm). The Knoevenagel condensation reaction (benzaldehyde and malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate in acetonitrile) was studied using 3a and 2b as catalysts. The results showed that the conversion rates of reactions catalyzed by 3a increased to 99 and 42%, respectively, whereas the reactions catalyzed by 2b exhibited lower conversion rates.