Reversible mechanochromic and thermochromic luminescence switching via hydrogen-bond-directed assemblies in a zinc coordination complex

Abstract

A bifunctional luminescent switch is constructed by introducing a terpyridyl derivative into a hydrogen-bond-assisted layered assembly structure. It exhibits interesting mechanochromic and thermochromic luminescence behaviors with reversible color changes visible to the naked eye from pink to blue-purple upon mechanical grinding and from pink to blue upon heating.