In recent years, multi-functional smart discoloration materials with multi-stimuli response property have attracted much attention due to their applications in smart windows, sensors, clothing manufacturing, and so on. In this work, a viologen-based multi-functional coordination polymer [H2L1]2[Mn4(L2)4(H2O)4]∙(H2O)4 (1) (H2L1Cl2 = 1,1′-bis(4-carboxy-benzyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride and H3L2 = (3,5-dicarboxyl-phenyl)-(4-(2′-carboxyl-phenyl)-benzyl)ether) in response to multiple stimuli has been synthesized hydrothermally. Compound 1 displays a 2D→3D interdigitated supramolecular framework, where the L23− anions link the Mn(II) ions to generate a 2D anionic layer, and the viologen cations H2L12+ are filled between the layers as counterions to balance the charge. Compound 1 can change color from light yellow to orange in response to temperatures from 80 to 265 °C and multiple solvents stimuli, and these changes are reversible. The discoloration mechanism has been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, UV–vis absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance, infrared and powder X-ray diffraction spectra, and density functional theory calculation. Compound 1 with an anionic layer can occur electrostatic attraction with cationic dye molecules. Therefore, it can be used for selective adsorption and separation of cationic dyes methylene blue. Moreover, compound 1 can be used as a non-contact luminescent thermometer.
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