ZnPt(CN)4 was shown to be an effective material for ammonia sensing, and can be synthesized using either solution or mechanochemical methods. A combination of luminescence and Raman spectroscopy revealed that multiple species are involved in the reaction between ammonia and ZnPt(CN)4. The crystal structure of one of these species, Zn(NH3)2Zn(NH3)3(Pt(CN)4)2, was elucidated. Detection of ammonia vapor down to 50 ppm in air was accomplished by monitoring the luminescence spectrum. The reaction between ZnPt(CN)4 and ammonia vapor is reversible, and can be cycled multiple times by either flowing air over the material or heating. ZnPt(CN)4 also has a relatively high thermal stability, decomposing only when heated above 420 °C.

Ammonia is a common coolant, including in ice skating rinks, but is a hazardous material. ZnPt(CN)4 was shown to exhibit a blue/green luminescence‐based sensory response when exposed to ammonia vapor, as shown in the cover image. The reaction between ZnPt(CN)4 and ammonia is detectable down to 50 ppm of ammonia, and is fully reversible. The reaction involves several species depending on the exposure time and concentration of ammonia, which were characterized using vibrational and luminescence spectroscopy. One of these species, Zn(NH3)2Zn(NH3)3(Pt(CN)4)2 has been structurally characterized as a 1D coordination polymer. More information can be found in the Full Paper by D. B. Leznoff et al. on page 9017.