Van Nguyen CMatsagar B.MAhamad TAlshehri S.MChiang W.-HKEVIN CHIA-WEN WU2021-09-022021-09-02202020507534https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85083756570&doi=10.1039%2fc9tc07078h&partnerID=40&md5=43571f643c8c9134bd1eaa1e5896e058https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/581550Photoluminescent metal-organic complexes (PLMOCs) have become attractive materials for highly selective metal ion detection because of their unique physical and chemical properties. However, the fundamental understanding of the characteristics of PLMOCs and metal ion sensing is still lacking. We report the synthesis of a series of Ag(bpy)(DA) PLMOCs (DA = dicarboxylic acids) and unravel key factors of the Ag-based PLMOCs regarding sensitivity in metal ion detection. The DA linkers with strong electron-donating groups (-NH2 and -OH) resulted in a red-shift in the PL emission of the Ag-based PLMOCs. Ag(bpy)(DA), displaying emission peaks in the UV region, showed higher sensitivity for Fe3+ compared to Ag-based PLMOCs with the emission peaks located in the vis region. Moreover, Ag(bpy)(DA) comprised of DA linkers with an amine group could exhibit sensitive detection toward Pb2+ ? The Royal Society of Chemistry.Chemical detection; Iron alloys; Metal ions; Organometallics; Red Shift; Silver compounds; Dicarboxylic acid; Electron-donating group; Metal ion detection; Metal ion sensing; Metal-organic complexes; Physical and chemical properties; Sensitive detection; Synergistic effect; Metalsjournal article10.1039/c9tc07078h