Imidazole-based zinc(II) complexes: Highly selective fluorescent probes for acetone detection

• Two Zn-CPs, [Zn(dib)(CH3COO)2]·2H2O (1) and Zn3(tib)2Cl6 (2), have been prepared.
• 1 contains 1D chains, which are further connected into a 3D network.
• 1D chains in 2 are assembled into a 3D network via weak Van der Waals force.
• Both 1 and 2 show high sensitivity for acetone detection.

Two ZnII coordination polymers (Zn-CPs), [Zn(dib)(CH3COO)2]·2H2O (1) and Zn3(tib)2Cl6 (2), have been prepared under hydrothermal condition by reactions of 1,4-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene (dib), or 1,3,5-tri(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene (tib) with corresponding ZnII ions, respectively. Single crystal structure analysis reveals that 1 contains one-dimensional chains, which are further connected into a three-dimensional network by hydrogen bonds and π⋯π interactions. Compound 2 adopts a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular network which is constructed by one-dimensional (1D) chain via weak Van der Waals force based on Zn(II) ions and tib ligands. These compounds are further characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, element analyses, and photoluminescent spectroscopy. The luminescent properties of 1 and 2 dispersed in different solvents have been investigated systematically. Both of them exhibit a solvent-dependence luminescent behavior and high sensitivity for acetone detection via a fluorescence quenching mechanism.

Two Zn(II) metal–organic frameworks (ZnMOFs), [Zn(dib)(CH3COO)2]·2H2O (1) and Zn3(tib)2Cl6 (2), have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. Compound 1 contains one-dimensional chains, which are further connected into a three-dimensional network by hydrogen bonds and π⋯π interactions. Compound 2 adopts a three-dimensional supramolecular network which is constructed by one-dimensional chain via weak Van der Walls force based on Zn(II) ions and tib ligands. The luminescent properties of 1 and 2 dispersed in different solvents have been investigated systematically. Both of them exhibit a solvent-dependence luminescent behavior and high sensitivity for acetone detection via a fluorescence quenching mechanism.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide