A fluorescent zinc–pamoate coordination polymer for highly selective sensing of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol and Cu2+ ion

• A two-dimensional zinc–pamoate coordination polymer was synthesized and characterized.
• 1 can be as a dual luminescence sensor for the detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol and Cu2+.
• The emission of 1 was quenched efficiently by TNP in the presence of other analytes.
• 1 exhibited unique selectivity and sensitivity toward Cu2+ compared to other metal cations.

A luminescent two-dimensional zinc–pamoate coordination polymer, [Zn(PAM)(en)] (1) (PAM = 4,4′-methylenebis(3-hydroxy-2-naphthalenecarboxylate), en = 1,2-ethanediamine) has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The strong emission of 1 was quenched efficiently by adding trace amounts of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP), even in the presence of other interfering analytes such as 4-nitrophenol, 2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, nitrobenzene, 1,3-dinitrobenzene, hydroquinone, dimethylbenzene and bromobenzene, which exhibited superior selectivity of 1 for the detection of TNP via a fluorescence quenching mechanism. Similarly, 1 also exhibited unique selectivity and sensitivity toward Cu2+ compared to other metal cations such as Zn2+, Mn2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Ni2+, Co2+ and Ca2+. This reveals compound 1 can be used as a dual luminescence sensor for the detection of TNP and Cu2+ alternatively.

A luminescent two-dimensional zinc–pamoate coordination polymer has been synthesized with electron-rich 4,4′-methylenebis(3-hydroxy-2-naphthalenecarboxylic acid) ligand, which can serve as a selective sensor for the detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol and Cu2+ via a fluorescence quenching mechanism.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide