Shape-Memory Platinum(II) Complexes: Intelligent Vapor-History Sensor with ON-OFF Switching Function.

A novel platinum(II)-diimine complex, [Pt(CN)2 (H2 dcphen)] (1; H2 dcphen=4,7-dicarboxy-1,10- phenanthroline), was synthesized and its vapochromic shape-memory behavior was evaluated. The as-synthesized amorphous purple solid, [Pt(CN)2 (H2 dcphen)]⋅2 H2 O (1 P), exhibited vapochromic behavior in the presence of alcoholic vapors through transformation to a red, crystalline, porous, vapor-adsorbed form, 1 R⊃vapor. The obtained 1 R⊃vapor complex released the adsorbed vapors upon heating without collapse of the porous structure. The vaporfree, porous 1 R⊃open could detect water or n-hexane vapor, although these vapors could not induce 1 P-to-1 R⊃vapor transformation, and 1 R⊃open could easily be converted to the initial 1 P by manual grinding. These results indicate that 1 is a new shape-memory material that functions through formation and collapse of the porous framework with an emission change upon vapor-adsorption and grinding; this enables it to exhibit vapor history and ON-OFF switching sensing functions.