Multi-responsive luminescent 2D Zn(II)-based coordination polymer for detection of trinitrophenol and Fe³⁺

A new Zn(II)-based coordination polymer (CP), [Zn(HL)center dot 1.5H(2)O] (1), has been synthesized using 4-(2,4,6-tricarboxylphenyl)-3,2,6,4-terpyridine (H3L). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that 1 possesses a 2D layer-like structure, which further connects through hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 3D supramolecular network. The luminescence measurements showed that 1 is capable of detecting nitro-aromatic compounds (NACs) in particular 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) as well as Fe3+ ions with high sensitivity and selectivity in aqueous medium. The limit of detections (LODs) for the recognition of TNP and Fe3+ are 1.23 and 0.94 ppm, respectively. The reason for decrease in intensity of emission of 1 on addition of NACs to it has been examined by theoretical calculations which suggested that charge transfer is taking place between 1 and NACs which may be the prime reason for the decrease in emission intensity. [GRAPHICS] .