Zn(II)-Coordination Polymers Constructed from Isomeric Bis(Imidazole) Derivative Ligands and Tetracarboxylic Acid for the Detection of Iron Ions

Three Zn(II)-coordination polymers, namely, [Zn2(µ4-L)(µ-obix)2]·4DMFn (1), [Zn2(µ4-L)(µ-mbix)2]·6H2On (2) and [Zn2(µ4-L)(µ-pbix)2]·5H2On (3), (L4−: 5,5’-(terephthaloylbis(azanediyl))diisophthalate and obix (y = 2), mbix (y = 3), pbix (y = 4): 1,y-bis((1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene) were prepared with a tetracarboxylic acid and flexible isomeric bis(imidazole) linkers and characterized. The compounds displayed structural diversity depending on the rotation of imidazole rings around the –CH2- groups on bis(imidazole) ligands. Compounds 1–3 showed 2-fold interpenetrated 3D framework, 2D structure and 3D framework, respectively. The compounds showed high emissions in solid-state and solutions. Luminescence experiments showed that compounds 1–3 displayed sensitive detection towards Fe3+ ions with detection limits of 2.31 ppm, 5.17 ppm and 2.61 ppm, respectively. Moreover, the compounds could selectively detect Fe3+ ions over the other interfering metal ions via luminescence quenching. The detection mechanism could be ascribed to the competitive light absorption between Fe3+ ions and the compounds.