A fluorescent, photochromic and thermochromic trifunctional material based on a layered metal–viologen complex†
Abstract
The azide anion as an energy acceptor and an electron donor has been introduced into a metal–viologen compound to form a 2D layered viologen-based trifunctional material, which exhibits the rare discolored function of reversible photochromism and thermochromism. Interestingly, its fluorescence can be switched by visible light irradiation and heating in air.