The crystal structure, luminescence and nitrobenzene-sensing properties of a two-dimensional Mn(II) coordination polymer based on 2,6-bis(imidazol-1-yl)pyridine.

A two-dimensional Mn(II) coordination polymer (CP), poly[bis[μ2-2,6-bis(imidazol-1-yl)pyridine-κ(2)N(3):N(3')]bis(thiocyanato-κN)manganese] [Mn(NCS)2(C11H9N5)2]n, (I), has been obtained by the self-assembly reaction of Mn(ClO4)2·6H2O, NH4SCN and bent 2,6-bis(imidazol-1-yl)pyridine (2,6-bip). CP (I) was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure features a unique two-dimensional (4,4) network with one-dimensional channels. The luminescence and nitrobenzene-sensing properties were explored in a DMF suspension, revealing that CP (I) shows a strong luminescence emission and is highly sensitive for nitrobenzene detection.