One-Dimensional Heterobimetallic Au/Ag Coordination Polymer Showing a Selective, Reversible, and Visible Vapor-Chromic Photoluminescent Response toward Methanol

A heterobimetallic coordination polymer [Au4(dppmt)4(AgCl)2]n (1) incorporating an in situ generated P-S ligand (dppmtH) was synthesized from the solvothermal reaction of Au(tht)Cl, AgCl, and dpppyatc in CH3CN/CH2Cl2 (dppmtH = (diphenylphosphino)methanethiol, tht = tetrahydrothiophene, dpppyatc = N,N-bis-((diphenylphosphaneyl)methyl)-N-(pyridin-2-yl)-amino-thiocarbamide). The structure of 1 contains a one-dimensional helical Au-Au chain in which the unique [Au4Ag2S2] cluster units are connected by [Au2(dppmt)2] dimers. Upon excitation at 343 nm, 1 exhibited cyan (495 nm) phosphorescent emission at quantum yield (QY) = 22.3% and z = 0.78 its (Aex = 375 nm). Coordination polymer 1 exhibited a rapid, selective, reversible, and visible vapor chromic response on exposure to methanol (MeOH) vapor with its emission shifting to a more intense green (530 nm, Aex = 388 nm) with QY = 46.8% and z = 1.24 its (Aex = 375 nm). A polymethylmethacrylate film containing 1 served as a reversible chemical sensor for the sensitive detection of MeOH in air.

Automated summary

A heterobimetallic coordination polymer [Au4(dppmt)4(AgCl)2]n (1) incorporating an in situ generated P-S ligand (dppmtH) was synthesized. The structure of 1 contains a one-dimensional helical Au-Au chain. Coordination polymer 1 exhibited a rapid, selective, reversible, and visible vapor chromic response on exposure to methanol (MeOH) vapor.