LAUSR

Abstract Two La(III)-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with 5-aminoisophthalic acid (H2L), namely [La(L)1.5(H2O)]n (1) and {[La(L)(Ox)0.5(H2O)2](H2O)}n (2) (H2Ox = oxalic acid), were hydro/solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Single crystal XRD analyses indicate that synthesis conditions play an important role in governing the formation of the final frameworks. Notably, H2Ox (oxalic acid) molecules from the hydrolysis of DMF or decomposition of L ligands were observed in the formation of 2 during the solvothermal synthesis. Both the two compounds display high sensitivities in the detection of acetone (ACE) as fluorescent sensors. Moreover, 1 and 2 exhibit good photodegradation efficiencies towards rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution under UV irradiation.