Synthesis and characterization of a holmium 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylate MOF: Towards the construction of a suitable holmium carrier

Based on the 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylic acid ligand (H2bpdc), a new metal–organic framework using holmium as the coordinating metal site was synthesized through a solvothermal reaction. The 3D compound {[Ho2(bpdc)3(DMF)2]·2(DMF)}n (1) was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, FTIR, TGA and PXRD. The coordination between H2bpdc, the solvent, and holmium (CN = 7) allows for the construction of a MOF containing potentially free metal sites and uncoordinated N-donor sites. These features make this MOF an attractive holmium carrier for radiotherapeutic applications.