Luminescent Zn(ii) coordination polymers as efficient fluorescent sensors for highly sensitive detection of explosive nitroaromatics

Zn CPs 1–3 exhibit strong blue/cyan fluorescence emissions in toluene suspension for highly selective and sensitive detection of explosive nitroaromatics through remarkable fluorescence quenching responses. In addition, the framework Zn²⁺ ions in 3 were partially substituted by Cu²⁺ ions via a single-crystal to single-crystal (SCSC) transformation.