Two zinc(II) complexes based on indole-3-acetic acid: crystal structures,fluorescence sensors,and ion exchange with mercury(II)

Two new coordination complexes, Zn(IA)₂(phen)] (1) and Zn(IA)₂(4,4′-bipy)] _n ?·?C₂H₅OH (2) (IAH?=?indole-3-acetic acid, phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline, 4,4′-bipy?=?4,4′-bipyridine), have been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is mononuclear and 2 presents a 1-D zigzag chain, in which 4,4′-bipy connects the Zn(II) ions. Both complexes show fluorescence emissions and exhibit fluorescence quenching when Hg²⁺ ions are present. ICP, EDS, and SEM experiments reveal that zinc in both complexes can be exchanged by toxic mercury ions.