A water-stable metal-organic framework: serving as a chemical sensor of PO4 3- and a catalyst for CO2 conversion

A new 2D Eu-BTB framework (1) with stratified gridding structure of about 14.6 x16.9 was synthesized and characterized. Compound 1 displays excellent water stability with the pH 2-12. The luminescent investigations suggest that 1 could represent a chemical sensor of PO4 (3-) with high sensitivity and selectivity. Importantly, 1 as a sensor of PO4 (3-) can be reused at least five times. On the other hand, the catalytic investigations of 1 were carried out, indicating that 1 could be demonstrated as a recyclable catalyst for CO2 conversion with epoxides.