Abstract: A method of preparing a crystalline copper-based coordination polymer comprises preparing a mixture of copper ions and a first quaternized carboxylate pyridyl ligand; adding a second polypyridyl ligand; and forming crystals of a copper-based coordination polymer therefrom. The crystalline copper-based coordination polymer is suitable for providing a sensing platform for detecting the presence of one or more target nucleic acid sequences such as viral RNA, in particular Dengue virus and/or Zika virus RNA with high selectivity and high specificity. A method of detecting at least a first target nucleic acid sequence, in particular from a viral RNA, in particular it is Flavivirus RNA, in a sample is also provided. Further provided is a kit including the crystalline copper-based coordination polymer and an oligonucleotide probe.

Abstract: A method of preparing a crystalline copper-based coordination polymer comprises preparing a mixture of copper ions and a first quaternized carboxylate pyridyl ligand; adding a second polypyridyl ligand; and forming crystals of a copper-based coordination polymer therefrom. The crystalline copper-based coordination polymer is suitable for providing a sensing platform for detecting the presence of one or more target nucleic acid sequences such as viral RNA, in particular Dengue virus and/or Zika virus RNA with high selectivity and high specificity. A method of detecting at least a first target nucleic acid sequence, in particular from a viral RNA, in particular it is Flavivirus RNA, in a sample is also provided. Further provided is a kit including the crystalline copper-based coordination polymer and an oligonucleotide probe.