A 4′‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐3,2′:6′,3′′‐terpyridine‐based luminescent cadmium(II) coordination polymer for the detection of 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol

The title coordination polymer, polybisμ3‐4‐(3,2′:6′,3′′‐terpyridin‐4′‐yl)benzoato]cadmium(II)], Cd(C₂₂H₁₄N₃O₂)₂]_n or Cd(3‐cptpy)₂]_n, (I), has been synthesized solvothermally and characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction. The structure is composed of 3‐cptpy^? ligands bridging Cd atoms, with each Cd atom coordinated by six ligands and each ligand coordinating to three Cd atoms. Each Cd atom is in a slightly distorted trans‐N₂O₄ octahedral environment, forming a two‐dimensional layer structure with a (3,6)‐connected topology. Layers are linked to each other by π–π stacking, resulting in a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework. The strong luminescence and good thermal stability of (I) indicate that it can potentially be used as a luminescence sensor. The compound also shows a highly selective and sensitive response to 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol through the luminescence quenching effect.