Synthesis, structure and properties of a 3-D Yb(III) metal–organic framework constructed from rod-shaped molecular building blocks

A novel 3-D ytterbium metal–organic framework, [Yb4(AIP)6(2,2′-bipy)]n (1) has been synthesized by self-assembly of Yb(III) ions, 5-aminoisophthalic acid (H2AIP) and 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy) under hydrothermal condition and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In compound 1, three crystallographically independent Yb(III) atoms adopt totally different coordination environments and are connected to each other by carboxylate groups to form two different kinds of rods: [single bond(YbO6)single bond(Osingle bondCsingle bondO)3single bond(YbO6N2)single bond]n and [single bond(YbO7)single bond(Osingle bondCsingle bondO)3single bond(YbO7)single bond]n, respectively. These rod-shaped molecular building blocks alternately are linked to each other through AIP ligands to form a 3-D framework with pcu-type rod packing arrangement. The thermal property and luminescent property of 1 have been investigated in the solid state.