A remarkable phosphorescent sensor for acid-base vapours based on an AIPE-active Ir(iii) complex

Area of Science:

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Development of sensitive and selective sensors for acid-base vapors is crucial for environmental and industrial monitoring.
• Existing sensing methods often suffer from slow response times, poor reversibility, or lack of specificity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel iridium(III) complex with AIPE (Aggregation-Induced Emission and Phosphorescence) activity.
• To investigate the complex's capability for rapid and reversible phosphorescent sensing of acid-base vapors.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a neutral iridium(III) complex incorporating functional Schiff base ligands.
• Characterization of the complex using spectroscopic and analytical techniques.
• Evaluation of the phosphorescent response to various acid-base vapors under different conditions.

Main Results:

• The synthesized iridium(III) complex exhibits AIPE-active properties.
• The complex demonstrates rapid and reversible phosphorescent changes upon exposure to acid-base vapors.
• The sensing mechanism involves reversible protonation and deprotonation of the Schiff base ligands.

Conclusions:

• The novel iridium(III) complex is a promising candidate for developing advanced phosphorescent sensors.
• The reversible protonation/deprotonation mechanism offers a robust platform for acid-base vapor detection.
• This work contributes to the field of luminescent chemical sensing with potential applications in environmental monitoring and safety.