AbstractMicroporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on lanthanide metal ions or clusters represent a group of porous materials, featuring interesting coordination, electronic, and optical properties. These attractive properties in combination with the porosity make microporous lanthanide MOFs (Ln-MOFs) hold the promise for various applications. This review is to provide an overview of the current status of the research in microporous Ln-MOFs, and highlight their potential as types of multifunctional materials for applications in gas/solvent adsorption and separation, luminescence and chemical sensing and catalysis.