A tritopic carboxylate ligand, tris(4'-carboxybiphenyl)amine (L-H(3)), has been synthesized and applied in the construction of microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Two novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Zn(2)(L)(OH)]·2DMF·H(2)O}(∞) (1) and {[Cu(L-H)(DMA)]·DMA·2H(2)O}(∞) (2), have been constructed out of L-H(3), Zn(2+), and Cu(2+), respectively. 1 has a 2-fold interpenetrating three-dimensional framework formed by L connectors and the [Zn(2)(CO(2))(3)] secondary building units (SBUs). As for 1, it is worth pointing out that one μ(2)-OH group links two Zn atoms between two neighboring SBUs to produce interesting Zn-O-Zn zigzag chains in the structure. 2 has a two-dimensional grid sheet formed by L-H connectors and the typical paddle-wheel [Cu(2)(CO(2))(4)] SBUs. Two-dimensional (2D) sheets nest with each other, which finally forms a three-dimensional (3D) nested framework. Two MOFs are characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, single-crystal and elemental analyses, and powder X-ray diffraction methods. Framework 1' exhibits high permanent porosity (Langmuir surface area = 848 m(2)/g), high thermal stability (up to 450 °C), highly active properties for Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction, as well as the potential application for the CO(2) gas storage and luminescent material. The catalytic results reveal that 2' is indeed an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for olefin epoxidation reactions.

A series of new isostructural lanthanide MOFs, [Ln 2 (pda) 3 -(H 2 O)]·2H 2 O [Ln = La (1), Ce(2), Pr(3), Nd(4), Sm(5), Eu(6), Gd(7), Tb(8), Dy(9), Ho(10), Er(11), Tm(12), and Yb (13); H 2 dpa = 1,4-phenylenediacetate], have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal (or/and powder) X-ray diffraction analysis. All the MOFs are isostructural and consist of 1D Ln-COO helixes that are cross-linked by the -CH 2 C 6 H 4 CH 2 -spacers of the pda 2-anions in a 3D compressed honeycomb-shaped network with 1D open channels, which accommodate guest and coordi-

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A novel three-dimensional (3D) porous metal-organic framework, {[Cd(L)(H(2)O)]·3H(2)O}(∞) (1) (L-H(2) = 4,4'-(9,10-anthracenediyl)dibenzoic acid), was synthesized. 1 has a 3D framework formed by L connectors and the infinite {Cd(O(2)CR)(2)}(∞) secondary building units (SBUs). Compound 1 was characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, single-crystal, elemental analyses and powder X-ray diffraction methods. We then investigated its adsorption, catalysis and luminescent properties. Framework 1' exhibits permanent porosity (Langmuir surface area, 324 m(2) g(-1)), high thermal stability (up to 380 °C), and highly active properties for oxidation of alkylbenzenes. The catalytic results reveal that 1' is indeed an efficient heterogeneous catalyst with 100% selectivity. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report that oxidation reactions of alkylbenzenes were performed using Cd(II) with unsaturated coordination spheres as active sites.