Nanocage-Based In{Tb}-Organic Framework Featuring Lotus-Shaped Channels for Highly Efficient CO Fixation and I Capture.

The exquisite combination of independent 3p [In(CO)] units and 4f [Tb(CO)] clusters in the presence of the designed hexatopic 2,4,6-tri(2,4-dicarboxyphenyl)pyridine ligand engenders one peculiar nanocaged In(III){Tb(III)}-organic framework: ({(MeNH)[InTb(HTDP)]·3DMF·3HO}, designated as ), which features dual types of lotus-shaped channels along the [100] and [110] axes with related node windows of 5.3 × 6.8 and 12.1 × 9.2 Å, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, except several coexisted 3p-4f In/Ln clusters of {InLn}- and {InLn}-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), is one novel type of In/Ln heterometallic framework. In addition, its topology was an unprecedented 3D net with a Schläfli symbol of {4.6}{4.6}{4.6.8}. Moreover, activated is proved to be one efficient adsorbent for CO and one recycled cycloaddition catalyst for the transformation of epoxides into related carbonates with high yields under mild conditions. Furthermore, the excellent reversible sorption performance for I in the volatilization phase or in cyclohexane solution with a maximum adsorption capacity of 609.1 mg/g (3.75 iodine molecules per unit cell) makes a promising adsorbent for radioactive products of I and I in the field of nuclear industry. This study provides one synthetic strategy that the original nature of MOFs could be enhanced by introducing some specific function-prompted inorganic subunits with the aid of predesigned supporting ligands.