Syntheses, structures, molecular and cationic recognitions and catalytic properties of two lanthanide coordination polymers based on a flexible tricarboxylate

•The compounds show recognition of amine molecules via quenching luminescent intensities.•The compounds recognize Fe3+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Cr3+ and Co2+ ions via quenching the peak around 361 nm.•They act as efficient Lewis acid catalysts for the cyanosilylation reactions in high yields.

Two lanthanide coordination polymers, namely, {[La(TTTA)(H2O)2]·2H2O}n (La-TTTA) and [Nd(TTTA)(H2O)2]·2H2O}n (Nd-TTTA) have been hydrothermally synthesized through the reaction of lanthanide ions (La3+ and Nd3+) with the flexible tripodal ligand 2,2′,2″-[1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyltris(thio)]tris-acetic acid (H3TTTA). La-TTTA and Nd-TTTA are isostructural and both show three dimensional structures. La-TTTA and Nd-TTTA show good recognition of amine molecules via quenching the luminescent intensities in amines emulsions. They can also recognize Fe3+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Cr3+ and Co2+ ions with the quenching the peak around 361 nm when the compounds immersed in ionic solutions. The two compounds act as efficient Lewis acid catalysts for the cyanosilylation of benzaldehyde and derivatives in high yields shortly due to the strong Lewis acidity and the possible open sites of the lanthanide ions.

Graphical abstractWe have synthesized two isostructural 3D compounds based on H3TTTA. They are chemical sensor of amine solvents and cations. They have higher yields and TOFs to catalyze cyanosilylation reactions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide