Cd(II)-Based Complex Constructed from 1,3,5-Tris(Carboxymethoxy)Benzene Acid Ligand for Detection of Nitroaromatic Compounds

In this study, one Cd(II)-based complex, [Cd-3(L)(2)(bpy)(2)](n) (1) (L3- = 1,3,5-tris(carboxymethoxy)benzene acid), has been hydrothermally synthesized, which displayed three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular framework. The result of fluorescence quenching experiments revealed that complex 1 showed good quenching effect on nitroaromatic compounds, such as p-nitroaniline (4-NA), o-nitroaniline (2-NA), p-nitrophenol (4-NP), and the quenching effect of 4-NA were particularly significant. According to the density functional theory, the remarkable quenching efficiency of 4-NA was caused by an effective electron transport. As a fluorescent probe, Complex 1 can be used to find nitroaromatic chemicals.