A Multifunctional Tb-MOF Detector for H(2)O(2), Fe(3+), Cr(2)O(7)(2–), and TPA Explosive Featuring Coexistence of Binuclear and Tetranuclear Clusters

[Image: see text] A novel three-dimensional microporous terbium(III) metal–organic framework (Tb-MOF) named as [Tb(10) (DBA)(6)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(5)]·(H(3)O)(4) (1), was successfully obtained by a solvothermal method based on terbium nitrate and 5-di(2′,4′-dicarboxylphenyl) benzoic acid (H(5)DBA). The Tb-MOF has been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, and fluorescence properties, and the purity was further confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. Structural analysis shows that there are two kinds of metal cluster species: binuclear and tetranuclear, which are linked by H(5)DBA ligands in two μ(7) high coordination fashions into a three-dimensional microporous framework. Fluorescence studies show that the Tb-MOF can detect H(2)O(2), Fe(3+), and Cr(2)O(7)(2–) with high sensitivity and selectivity and can also be used for electrochemical detection of exposed 2,4,6-trinitrophenylamine (TPA) in water. The highly selective and sensitive detection ability of the Tb-MOF might make it a potential multifunctional sensor in the future.