The electronic effects of ligands on metal-coordination geometry: a key role in the visual discrimination of dimethylaminopyridine and its application towards chemo-switch

Due to its special coordination ability to Cu(II)–terpyridine complexes, a simple and straightforward visual recognition of p-DMAP out of its analogues has been realized via selective metallogel collapse. In combination with the selective gel collapse and the self-healing properties of metallohydrogel 1a, its potential application towards chemo-switch is also demonstrated.