Terpyridine-based Coordination Polymers: A Ligand-centered Perspective on Metal Diversity and Multifunctional Applications

Due to their structural variety and versatility, coordination polymers (CPs) based on terpyridine ligands have been especially versatile in materials science. The article describes the synthesis, structural variation, and use of CPs synthesized with 4'-(4-carboxyphenyl)- 3,2':6',3''-terpyridine (Hcptpy) as a ligand in an in-depth manner. Particular emphasis is given to the contribution of different metals, such as Cd, Zn, Mn, Co, and Cu, to these polymers. The applications of the prepared CPs include luminescence sensing, photonic devices, DNA amplification, cancer treatment, and magnetic material. Besides, structure-function relationships and research directions are covered.