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 H4BTMIPA ligand (H4BTMIPA = 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 that can selectively sense Fe(3+) and Al(3+) ions through fluorescence quenching and enhancement, respectively.