A copper(I) thiolate coordination polymer with thermochromic and mechanochromic luminescence

A luminescent copper(I) thiolate coordination polymer named [Cu(pot)]n has been synthesized by the employment of the thiol ligand of 5-(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol (Hpot). The maximum emission peak of [Cu(pot)]n at room temperature is located at 609 nm. The compound shows superb luminescent stability toward acidic/alkaline conditions and organic solvents. [Cu(pot)]n exhibits an interesting thermochromic behavior with the luminescence changing from saffron at 77 K to orange at 297 K and yellowish green at 497 K. Meanwhile, its luminescent color changes from orange to red after grinding. Thus, the compound represents a rare example of copper(I) thiolate coordination polymers possessing thermochromic and mechanochromic luminescence simultaneously.