An AIE-ligand-based coordination polymer with a new wheel-shaped Cd6 cluster, a unique bamboo-like architecture and highly efficient dual-response sensing properties

Abstract

It is important and challenging to design and construct coordination polymers (CPs) with special architectures and functions. In this study, a novel CP {[(H₃O)₂(Cd₆L₆SO₄)]·3DMF}_n (1) was synthesized using cadmium sulfate and the AIE ligand di(4-carboxyphenyl)-dibenzofulvene (H₂L) through a solvothermal reaction with a one-dimensional bamboo-like architecture for the first time, which was constructed using a novel wheel-shaped [Cd₆(COO)₁₂SO₄]²⁻ cluster and angular L bridges. 1 has good water and thermal stabilities and can sensitively, selectively and cyclically detect TNP and MnO₄⁻ in an aqueous medium. In particular, the quenching constants of 1 reached 8.95 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (TNP) and 1.10 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ (MnO₄⁻), which were higher than those of most CP-based sensor materials. Moreover, the luminescent quenching sensing mechanisms of 1 towards TNP and MnO₄⁻ were explored.