In Situ Trans–Cis Isomerization of Naphthylvinylpyridine Ligand in a Zinc(II) Coordination Polymer: Liquid and Vapor Phase Sensing of Mutagenic Pollutants and Nitroexplosives

A one-dimensional (1D) fluorescent coordination polymer (CP) [Zn­(nip)­(cis-nvp)­(H2O)]·CH3OH (1) has been synthesized by the reaction of Zn­(NO3)2·6H2O and mixed ligand system; 5-nitrosopthalic acid (H2nip) and trans-4-(1-naphthylvinyl)­pyridine (trans-nvp). Here, trans-nvp has been converted into cis-nvp via in situ trans–cis isomerization in visible light. The CP 1 has been structurally characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction techniques, and thermogravimetric analysis. The solid-state structure of CP 1 reveals that the nip ligands bridge the Zn­(II) centers to generate 1D polymeric chain. The cis-nvp ligands are attached to Zn­(II) centers and have undergone interdigitation via π···π stacking interactions to furnish a two-dimensional (2D) network. Interestingly, CP 1 exhibits sensing activity toward highly mutagenic pollutant and explosive nitroaromatic compounds (epNACs) in liquid as well as vapor phase.