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Stimulus‐responsive molecular photochromic materials have potential applications in sensor, information storage, and optical switch devices since they undergo reversible color changes upon stimulus from external light. In this work, a viologen‐derived Mg(II) coordination complex with molecular formula [Mg(dpbp)2(H2O)4] (1) has been synthesized from 1‐(3,5‐dicarboxyphenyl)‐4,4′‐bipyridinium chloride (H2dpbp⋅Cl) under solvothermal conditions. Complex 1 has a three‐dimensional viologen‐based hydrogen bond network showing reversible photochromism through radical formation under ultraviolet‐visible light irradiation. Simultaneously, the emission of complex 1 can be reversibly modulated by ultraviolet‐visible light irradiation. Importantly, due to its reversible photochromic properties, practical fading time, and high stability, complex 1 can be used as an ink‐free and erasable printing medium by applying ultraviolet visible light irradiation with a mask. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic amines are ubiquitous and essential in the dye, polymer, and pharmaceutical industries, but can also be highly corrosive and toxic. Developing a quick and efficient method to detect organic amines is an important challenge. In this paper, we demonstrate the detection of organic amines by colorimetric and luminescence sensing of an electron-deficient viologen metal organic material. The material, comprising 1-(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium and Cd(II), possesses a two-dimensional framework with viologen-lined chromophores and accessible electron-deficient viologen moieties constituting Lewis acidic sites. It exhibits reversible photochromic behavior under UV–Vis light irradiation and a visual color change and fluorescence quenching upon contact with amine vapors and solutions. Due to the defined pore size of the framework, the fluorescence sensing efficiency showed organic amine size dependence. The vapochromism and fluorescence quenching is attributable to electron transfer from the organic amine to the electron-deficient viologen moiety, generating colored viologen radicals. An electron-deficient metal-organic material has successfully synthesized based on the viologen ligand, which exhibit reversible photochromic behavior and selective colorimetric and luminescence sensing of organic amines. [Display omitted] • An electron-deficient viologen metal-organic material was prepared. • Compound 1 exhibit reversible photochromic behavior under UV–visible light irradiation. • Complex 1 shows colorimetric and luminescence sensing of organic amines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]