Template synthesis and photochromism of a layered zinc diphosphonate

Abstract

A zinc diphosphonate with protonated 2,4,6-tri(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (H₃TPT) as the template was hydrothermally prepared. The host layered framework was composed of 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonate and zinc ions. The guest H₃TPT locates between the adjacent layers, acting as the charge balancer and template. The title compound features rapid photochromism upon irradiation with sunlight or UV light at ambient temperature.