Anion-induced structural diversity of Zn and Cd coordination polymers based on bis-9,10-(pyridine-4-yl)-anthracene, their luminescent properties, and highly efficient sensing of nitro derivatives and herbicides

Luminescent coordination polymers (CPs) of Zn2+ or Cd2+ and bis-9,10-(pyridine-4- yl)-anthracene (BA) show different 1D and 2D topologies depending on the anion used in the precursor. Compounds {[Zn(μ2-BA)(MeOH)2(p-Tos)2]}n (1) and {[Zn(μ2- BA)(MeOH)2(CF3CO2)2]}n (2) form linear structures and {BA@[Zn(μ2-BA) (MeOH)2(H2O)2](CF3SO3)2}n (3) featuring intercalation of uncoordinated BA molecules into linear ribbons. Cd-based CPs {[Cd(μ2-BA)2(ClO4)2]·n(DCM)}n (4) and {[Cd(μ2-BA)(MeOH)2(Dioxane)(η2-SiF6)]·mDioxane}n (5) form porous structures with 2D lattices. All complexes exhibit strong blue emission in the solid state with average lifetimes between 8 and 13 ns. The emission of compound 4 is sensitive to the presence of nitro aromatics, simazine, and trichloroanisole (TCA) and demonstrates nonlinear Stern–Volmer quenching kinetics. Limits of detection (LOD) of 15 and 16 ppb for picric acid and TCA were achieved, respectively