Synthesis, characterization, and photoluminescence properties of three two-dimensional lanthanide-containing Dawson-type polyoxometalates.

Three [α2-P2W17O61]10--based lanthanide-containing polyoxometalates (LCPs) [N(CH3)4]3H8{Ln(H2O)7[Ln(H2O)3Ln(H2O)4(α2-P2W17O61)2]}·48H2O [Ln = La3+ (1), Ce3+ (2), and Pr3+ (3)] were successfully obtained by the reaction of a trivacant Dawson-type precursor [P2W15O56]12- and lanthanide ions under hydrothermal conditions. The compounds 1-3 were fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and a series of analytical methods, including elemental analyses, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses indicated that 1-3 were isostructural and exhibited a 2D network architecture through the alternative connection of [α2-P2W17O61]10- and lanthanide ions. The photoluminescence properties of 1-3 were investigated at room temperature, and 3 displayed the characteristic emissions of a Pr3+ emitting center, indicating that POMs can transfer energy and sensitize Pr3+ emissions. The reason for the weak emission intensity of Pr3+ emitting ions was because the radiationless losses via a charge-transfer Pr → W state negatively affected the emission of the Pr3+ ions in LCPs.