Multidimensional luminescent cobalt(ii)-coordination polymers as sensors with extremely high sensitivity and selectivity for detection of acetylacetone, benzaldehyde and Cr2O72−

Abstract

Three new ternary cobalt(II)-coordination polymers containing isomers of bis(benzimidazole) linkers, namely, [Co(TBTA)(L1)₂]_n (1), [Co(TBTA)(L2)₂]_n (2) and [Co(TBTA)(L3)_1.5]_n (3) (L1 = 1,2-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, L2 = 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, L3 = 1,4-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, H₂TBTA = tetrabromoterephthalic acid) were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized. 1 exhibits a 3D uninodal pcu framework, 2 possesses a hcb layer and 3 is a 1D chain structure. 1, 2 and 3 are highly sensitive and selective luminescent chemosensors for detection of acetylacetone, benzaldehyde and Cr₂O₇²⁻ anions in water.