The　azide　anion　as　an　energy　acceptor　and　an　electron　donor　has　been　introduced　into　a　metal-viologen　compound　to　form　a　2D　layered　viologen-based　trifunctional　material,　which　exhibits　the　rare　discolored　function　of　reversible　photochromism　and　thermochromism.　Interestingly,　its　fluorescence　can　be　switched　by　visible　light　irradiation　and　heating　in　air.　©　The　Royal　Society　of　Chemistry.