Copper(I)–thioether complexes have been extensively studied in the literature due to several qualities, including the diversity of coordination structures and the convenience and low-cost of preparation. In this work, acrylate-based block polymers containing thioether moieties were successfully coordinated with copper(I) to form thermally stable hybrid materials. The block polymer phase, poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(methyl thioethyl acrylate-co-butyl acrylate) (PMMA-b-P(MTEA-co-BA)), was effectively reinforced by copper(I) bromide to give excellent mechanical performance (breaking strength of 7.5 MPa and breaking strain of 500%). Meanwhile, the hybrid materials were endowed with self-healing capability because of the copper–thioether coordination. Notably, the melt-compounded films of copper(I)–thioether block polymers exhibited a very fast response towards hydrochloric acid vapor, reflected as a color transition within 10 seconds upon exposure. Additionally, the hybrid polymers also responded rapidly to hydrogen peroxide solution (color change within 1 minute). These unique characteristics grant possibilities to the hybrid materials to be utilized as flexible and cheap sensors for hydrochloric acid and oxidants. Fundamentally, this study expands the territory of metal–thioether coordinated block polymers and also sheds light on the fabrication of multifunctional hybrid materials for smart device applications.

•Two anion-induced chiral Ag(I) complexes have been synthesized.•CD spectra of the bulk samples have been measured.•The complexes display luminescent properties.Two new anion-induced chiral complexes have been synthesized via a chiral bis-chelating organic bridging ligand and changing the counteranions, in which 1 displays a one-dimensional linear chain, while 2 is a binuclear structure. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra confirm that they are of structural chirality in the bulk samples. The luminescence properties indicate that they may have potential applications as optical materials. The present study demonstrates that the anion is a crucial factor for the construction of coordination polymers.Two anion-induced chiral Ag(I) complexes have been synthesized by using a chiral bis-chelating organic bridging ligand and changing the counteranions. Their CD spectra and luminescence properties have been discussed.

Two pairs of chiral coordination polymers, {{Ag[(1R,2R)-3-bcpb]}·X·H2O·CH3OH}n [X = NO3 (1a), ClO4 (1b)] and {{Ag[(1R,2R)-3-bcpb]}·X·3H2O}n [X = NO3 (2a), ClO4 (2b)] where (1R,2R)-3-bcpb = N,N′-((1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diyl)bis(N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)benzamide), have been synthesized with the same materials at 25 and 90 °C, respectively. 1a and 1b are 1D chiral linear chains, while 2a and 2b display left-handed 21 helical chains with dual chiral components, including the congenital chiral carbon centres and the acquired chirality of the single-handed helices. 1a and 1b can be transformed into 2a and 2b, respectively, by heating, while the reverse operations failed. The structural difference between 1a (1b) and 2a (2b) may be attributed to the different configurations of the ligand, which are highly influenced by the reaction temperature and can further be theoretically explained by DFT calculations. Luminescence studies revealed interesting emission bands. Circular dichroism spectra and second-harmonic generation efficiency measurements of the products have been investigated as well, which indicate their potential applications in chiral and nonlinear optics.

•A trinuclear Cu(II) complex has been synthesized.•CD spectra of the bulk samples have been measured.•Variable temperature magnetic data have also been characterized.An enantiopure trinuclear Cu(II) complex of chiral phenol-based macrocyclic polyamine ligand, which is derived from the [3 + 3] condensation of 3,5-diformyl-4-hydroxyzoic acid ethyl ester with (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and followed by borohydride reduction, has been synthesized and characterized. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra confirmed its structural chirality in the bulk sample. Variable temperature magnetic data indicated that there is an antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal centers in the complex.An enantiopure trinuclear Cu(II) complex derived from a chiral [3 + 3] phenol-based macrocyclic polyamine ligand has been synthesized and characterized. CD spectra confirmed its structural chirality in the bulk sample. Analysis of variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data indicated that there is an antiferromagnetic coupling between the trinuclear metal centers.