Two cobalt(II) and copper(II) complexes with 2,4,5‐tri(4‐pyridyl)‐imidazole and 5‐hydroxyisophthalic acid as turn‐on luminescence sensors for Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ and SCN − ions

Two Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes, {[Co(Htpim) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ](IPA−OH)} n ( 1 ) and {[Cu(Htpim) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ](IPA−OH)} n ( 2 ) (Htpim=2,4,5‐tri(4‐pyridyl)‐imidazole, and H 2 IPA−OH=5‐hydroxyisophthalic acid), have been solvothermally synthesized by mixed‐ligand strategy and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Single crystal XRD analyses indicate that 1 and 2 are almost isostructural and show 1D chain structures. Moreover, 1 can sensitively detect Mg 2+ ions through turn‐on luminescence. Meanwhile, 2 can highly sensitively detect Ca 2+ and SCN − ions as a luminescence sensor.