Embodiments of the present disclosure describe compositions comprising a molecular building block (MBB) having the formula [RE6(μ3-OH)8(O2C—)6N4C—)6] or [RE6(μ3-OH)8(O2C—)12], wherein RE is a rare earth metal ion. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe methods of making a metal-organic framework (MOF) composition comprising contacting one or more molecular building blocks (MBBs) with one or more bidentate ligands, wherein the MBBs have the formula [RE6(μ3-OH)8(O2C—)6N4C—)6] or [RE6(μ3-OH)8(O2C—)12], wherein RE is a rare earth metal ion.