Constructing Fluorochromic Organic–Inorganic Hybrids for Ultraviolet Dosimetry

Organic–inorganic hybrids demonstrate UV-induced fluorochromic behavior, with both Zn-1 and Zn-2 crystallized as discrete zero-dimensional coordination units. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that Zn-1 features an isolated Zn center coordinated by photosensitive ligands in a relatively loose packing arrangement, whereas Zn-2 exhibits a denser molecular packing with stronger intermolecular π–π stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Upon UV irradiation, both compounds display distinct fluorochromic responses; however, Zn-2 shows superior UV detection sensitivity and more pronounced coloration, thereby establishing its potential as a promising UV dosimeter material. Furthermore, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Hirshfeld surface analyses were conducted to elucidate the underlying UV-induced fluorochromic mechanism, revealing how the different intermolecular interactions of the photosensitive ligands in Zn-1 and Zn-2 modulate their respective photoresponsive sensitivities.