Frontier Advances of Terpyridine–Zn(II) Complexes: From Molecular Design to Smart Functional Materials

ABSTRACT As one of the most important pincer coordination molecules, terpyridine (Tpy) metal complexes have emerged as a vibrant research frontier in coordination chemistry, catalysis and materials science due to their unique chelation versatility and modular structural tunability. In particular, Tpy–Zn complexes exhibit exceptional photochemical and photophysical characteristics, low toxicity, and self‐assembly propensity, making them a novel and versatile platform for functional material design. This review comprehensively summarizes the design strategies of various Tpy–Zn complexes and their corresponding materials, including discrete molecular complexes, supramolecular assemblies (e.g., gels, metal organic frameworks, cages) and their composites, while highlighting their recent advances in three key domains: (1) visual molecular recognition and sensing, (2) stimuli‐responsive smart functional materials, and (3) photocatalytic organic transformations. Additionally, remaining synthetic obstacles, unresolved controversies in structure–property relationships, and future perspectives for the development of novel Tpy–Zn complexes are thoroughly discussed. This review aims to establish a rational design paradigm for next–generation Tpy–Zn–based functional materials, thereby providing in‐depth mechanistic insights and sparking their innovative applications functional materials science.