Introduction of Lewis Acidic and Redox-Active Sites into a Porous Framework for Ammonia Capture with Visual Color Response

Based on the Lewis acidic site and redox ability of bipyridinium ligand, a porous framework with an adsorption advantage for ammonia over water and color response ability has been constructed. The compound is highly stable and flexible to external stimuli, exhibiting reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations, in response to temperature change and NH3 capture. More attractively, the title compound shows obvious color change from yellow to dark blue when exposed to ammonia vapor within just a few seconds, indicating a strong ability to function as a visual colorimetric absorbent for ammonia.