Synthesis, crystal structure and photoluminescent properties of a 3D Zn(II) coordination polymer

•A new 3D coordination polymer has been constructed.•This complex displays strong fluorescent emissions at room temperature.•This complex can selectively sense Fe3 + ions through fluorescence quenching.

A new 3D coordination polymer [NH2(CH3)2]2[Zn7L4(DMF)2(H2O)3]·19H2O (1) (L = 2,3′,5,5′-biphenyl tetracarboxylic acid) has been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by IR, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies indicate that 1 exhibits 3D framework with a one-dimensional (1D) channel. The luminescence properties have been studied, and the results showed that 1 displays strong fluorescent emissions both in the solid state and in methanol suspension at room temperature. More interesting, the addition of Fe3 + causes the fluorescence intensity of 1 to be weakened, which implies that it may be used as luminescent probes of Fe3 +.

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