This application relates to vaprochromic coordination polymers useful for analyte detection. The vapochromism may be observed by visible color changes, changes in luminescence, and/or spectroscopic changes in the infrared (IR) signature. One or more of the above chromatic changes may be relied upon to identify a specific analyte, such as a volatile organic compound or a gas. The chromatic changes may be reversible to allow for successive analysis of different analytes using the same polymer. The polymer has the general formula MW[M′X(Z)Y]N wherein M and M′ are the same or different metals capable of forming a coordinate complex with the Z moiety; Z is selected from the group consisting of halides, pseudohalides, thiolates, alkoxides and amides; W is between 1-6; X and Y are between 1-9; and N is between 1-5. Optionally, an organic ligand may be bound to M. In alternative embodiments of the invention M may be a transition metal, such as Cu and Zn, M′ may be a metal such as Au, Ag, Hg and Cu, and Z may be a pseuodohalide, such as CN, SCN, SeCN, TeCN, OCN, CNO and NNN. In one particular embodiment a new class of [Metal(CN)2]-based coordination polymers with vapochromic properties is described, such as Cu[Au(CN)2]2 and Zn[Au(CN)2]2 polymers.