Fast and efficient direct formation of size-controlled nanostructures of coordination polymers based on copper(i)–iodine bearing functional pyridine terminal ligands

Abstract

We report on the direct formation of 1D nanostructures of two coordination polymers based on copper(I)–iodine double chains decorated with ethyl isonicotinate or 2-amino-5-nitropyridine as terminal ligands. The use of different reaction conditions, e.g. energy of the formation process, solvents, and/or concentration of reactants, has allowed the control of the size of the fibres and ribbons directly formed in this process going from micron- to submicron- up to nano-size. We show experiments that direct the formation of materials kinetically versus thermodynamically controlled, adjusting simple experimental parameters. Finally, a morphological study on the Cu(I)–iodine bearing 2-amino-5-nitropyridine nanofibres has confirmed their reversible molecular recognition ability towards acetic acid vapours.