Luminescent copper(I) complexes as vapochromic sensors for volatile organic compounds: integrating two distinct sensing mechanisms in a single platform

Luminescent copper(I) complexes as vapochromic sensors for volatile organic compounds: integrating two distinct sensing mechanisms in a single platform Full article

Journal

Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers
ISSN: 2052-1553 , E-ISSN: 2052-1545

Output data

Year: 2026, Volume: 13, Number: 11, Pages: 4912-4924 Pages count : 13 DOI: 10.1039/d6qi00456c

Authors

Skvortsova Sofia V. ¹ , Verkhov Fyodor K. ^2,3 , Nikolaenkova Elena B. ³ , Sukhikh Taisiya S. ¹ , Bagryanskaya Irina Y. ³ , Rakhmanova Marianna I. ¹ , Shekhovtsov Nikita A. ¹ , Bushuev Mark B. ¹

Affiliations

1	Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 3, Acad. Lavrentiev Ave., Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
2	Novosibirsk State University, 2, Pirogova str., Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
3	N. N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 9, Acad. Lavrentiev Ave., Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia

Funding (1)

Russian Science Foundation

We propose a strategy for the design of coordination complexes capable of sensing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through integrating two distinct sensing mechanisms on the base of a single platform. The first mechanism, emission switching via ligand-enabled, VOC-induced structural distortion, relies on the incorporation of a flexible structural component into the ligand architecture. This design enables sensing of weakly coordinating VOC molecules through the reversible distortion of the molecular and crystal structure. The second mechanism, emission quenching via VOC-driven labile ligand displacement, relies on the tuning of the ligand coordination strength: it should be sufficient for stable complex formation yet allow for dissociation in the presence of VOCs with stronger electron-donating properties. To illustrate this strategy, we report the synthesis of mononuclear copper(I) complexes, [CuL(PPh3)2](PF6)·nSolv and [CuL(XantPhos)](PF6)·nSolv (where L is LH or LMe; LH = 2-(benzylthio)-4-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)pyrimidine, LMe = 2-(benzylthio)-4-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine), which exhibit a visually detectable luminescence response to MeCN and CH2Cl2 vapours. For these complexes, the response to MeCN is associated with the reversible decoordination of L, while the response to CH2Cl2 stems from the reversible uptake of solvent molecules into the crystal lattice. The successful integration of these two orthogonal sensing pathways within a single family of compounds renders them unique examples of rationally designed bifunctional copper(I)-based VOC sensors.

Skvortsova S.V. , Verkhov F.K. , Nikolaenkova E.B. , Sukhikh T.S. , Bagryanskaya I.Y. , Rakhmanova M.I. , Shekhovtsov N.A. , Bushuev M.B.
Luminescent copper(I) complexes as vapochromic sensors for volatile organic compounds: integrating two distinct sensing mechanisms in a single platform
Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers. 2026. V.13. N11. P.4912-4924. DOI: 10.1039/d6qi00456c WOS Scopus OpenAlex

Submitted:	Mar 7, 2026
Accepted:	Apr 19, 2026
Published online:	Apr 20, 2026
Published print:	May 26, 2026

≡ Web of science:	WOS:001747711500001
≡ Scopus:	2-s2.0-105036891058
≡ OpenAlex:	W7154998953