Molecular-based coordination polymer as reversible and precise acetonitrile electro-optical readout

TL;DR

This study presents a reversible, optically detectable sensing mechanism using a Fe(II) coordination polymer that responds to acetonitrile vapor, offering a new approach for detecting harmful organic compounds.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel non-porous Fe(II) coordination polymer that acts as a reversible sensor for acetonitrile through magneto-structural and optoelectronic changes.

Findings

Reversible structural and optical changes upon acetonitrile exposure.

Effective detection of acetonitrile vapor via magneto-structural transitions.

Potential application in sensing other organic volatile compounds.

Abstract

Efficient detection of harmful organic volatile compounds is a major health and environmental need in industrialized societies. Tailor-made metal-organic frameworks and other coordination polymers are emerging as promising sensing molecular materials thanks to their responsivity to a wide variety of external stimuli, and could be used to complement conventional sensors. Here, a non-porous crystalline 1D Fe(II) coordination polymer acting as a porous acetonitrile host is presented. The desorption of interstitial acetonitrile is accompanied by magneto-structural transitions easily detectable in the optical and electronic properties of the material. The structural switch and therefore its (opto)electronic readout are reversible under exposition of the crystal to acetonitrile vapor. Coordination polymers can be versatile sensors for volatile acetonitrile and potentially other organic compounds.