A new 2D → 3D interdigitated supramolecular compound as luminescent sensor for detection of Hg2+ and treatment activity on pancreatic cancer

A novel Zn(II) coordination polymer, i.e., [Zn(L)0.5(phen)]n·n(H2O) (1, where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and H4L is 5,5’-(1,4-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(oxy)diisophthalic acid), was generated with the solvothermal reactions between phen, H4L and Zn(NO3)2·6H2O. Luminescent property investigations indicate that compound 1 was applied as the fluorescent probe for the toxic Hg2+ ions detection. The evaluation of its anti-cancer activity against the pancreatic cancer was performed and its corresponding mechanism also was explored. Firstly, the Cell Counting Kit-8 was employed for the investigation of the compound’s inhibitory activity on the viability of cancer cell. Moreover, the invasion and migration of cancer cells were detected through exploiting the trans-well assay.