Design of lanthanide-based metal-organic frameworks with enhanced near-infrared emission

A strategy based on the use of ligand steric hindrance and metal doping is reported for the design and synthesis of near-infrared (NIR) emitting lanthanide-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The lanthanide ions are free of coordinated solvents, and the resulting NIR-MOFs are highly emissive and exhibit long luminescence lifetimes.