An ion pair-induced environment-responsive metal–organic gel: en route to smart materials for volatile salt-based nitrogen (VBN) sensing

Abstract

An unusual Ag⁺–NO₃⁻ ion pair-induced metal–organic gel was constructed from the cationic imidazolium ligand 1,4-bis((1-(6-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-3yl)methyl)benzene (1²⁺) in the mixture of acetonitrile and DMF (1 : 1, v/v). It could be used for the detection of the freshness of food via simple and rapid volatile salt-based nitrogen (VBN) sensing.