<p>Lanthanide-based 3d metals and aromatic dicarboxylic acids complexes (Ln-3d-MOFs) as a new family of crystalline materials have fascinating structures. Much attention has been paid on the rational design and construction of the new functional Ln-3d-MOFs. Bridging of the different metals ions is achieved through the O atoms of the dicarboxylic acid units to build Ln-O-M units and to construct one-, two- or three-dimensional topological structures by the linking action of ligands. The constructed Ln-3d-MOFs exhibit superior performance in optics, magnetism, and catalysis. Especially, these materials have unique magnetic properties due to the combination of lanthanides ions and 3d metals (Fe, Ni, Mn, Zn, Co) with stronger magnetism. Simultaneously, Ln³⁺ of the MOFs produces characteristic luminescence under the sensitizing effect of the spin-orbit interaction, crystal fields and transitional metal. With the effect of the unstable ligands or 3d metal ions that is prone to oxidize and reduce in some MOFs, Ln³⁺ is also used in organic chemical reactions as a catalytic active site. In this work, the synthesis and properties of Ln-3d-MOFs and their application in optics, magnetism and catalysis are summarized. Moreover, structure-activity relationships are discussed and the design strategy for these new materials is presented.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>