A threefold interpenetrating two-dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer: synthesis, crystal structure and selective luminescence sensing properties

The Fe3+ ion is the most important element in environmental systems and plays a fundamental role in biological processes. Iron deficiency can result in diseases and highly selective and sensitive detection of trace Fe3+ has become a hot topic. A novel two-dimensional Zn-II coordination framework, poly[[mu-4,4'-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-yl) diphenyl ether-kappa N-2(3):N-3'](mu-4,4'-sulfonyldibenzoato-kappa O-2:O')-zinc(II)], [Zn(C14H8O6S)(C20H18N4O)](n) or [Zn(SDBA)(BMIOPE)](n), (I), where H(2)SDBA is 4,4'-sulfonyldibenzoic acid and BMIOPE is 4,4'-bis(2-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)diphenyl ether, has been prepared and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis, the latter showing that the coordination polymer exhibits a threefold interpenetrating two-dimensional 4(4)-sql network. In addition, it displays a highly selective and sensitive sensing for Fe3+ ions in aqueous solution.