Design of Luminescent, Heteroleptic, Cyclometalated Pt II and Pt IV Complexes: Photophysics and Effects of the Cyclometalated Ligands

Phenylbenzothiazole-Based Platinum(II) and Diplatinum(II) and (III) Complexes with Pyrazolate Groups: Optical Properties and Photocatalysis

Based on 2-phenylbenzothiazole (pbt) and 2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)benzothiazole (Me2N-pbt), mononuclear [Pt(pbt)(R'2-pzH)2]PF6 (R'2-pzH = pzH 1a, 3,5-Me2pzH 1b, 3,5-iPr2pzH 1c) and diplatinum (PtII-PtII) [Pt(pbt)(μ-R'2pz)]2 (R'2-pz = pz 2a, 3,5-Me2pz 2b, 3,5-iPr2pz 2c) and [Pt(Me2N-pbt)(μ-pz)]2 (3a) complexes have been prepared. In the presence of sunlight, 2a and 3a evolve, in CHCl3 solution, to form the PtIII-PtIII complexes [Pt(R-pbt)(μ-pz)Cl]2 (R = H 4a, NMe2 5a). Experimental and computational studies reveal the negligible influence of the pyrazole or pyrazolate ligands on the optical properties of 1a-c and 2a,b, which exhibit a typical 3IL/3MLCT emission, whereas in 2c the emission has some 3MMLCT contribution. 3a displays unusual dual, fluorescence (1ILCT or 1MLCT/1LC), and phosphorescence (3ILCT) emissions depending on the excitation wavelength. The phosphorescence is lost in aerated solutions due to sensitization of 3O2 and formation of 1O2, whose determined quantum yield is also wavelength dependent. The phosphorescence can be reversibly photoinduced (365 nm, ∼ 15 min) in oxygenated THF and DMSO solutions. In 4a and 5a, the lowest electronic transitions (S1-S3) have mixed characters (LMMCT/LXCT/L'XCT 4a and LMMCT/LXCT/ILCT 5a) and they are weakly emissive in rigid media. The 1O2 generation property of complex 3a is successfully used for the photooxidation of p-bromothioanisol showing its potential application toward photocatalysis.

A new family of luminescent [Pt(pbt)2(C6F5)L]n+ (n = 1, 0) complexes: synthesis, optical and cytotoxic studies

Given the widely recognized bioactivity of 2-arylbenzothiazoles against tumor cells, we have designed a new family of luminescent heteroleptic pentafluorophenyl-bis(2-phenylbenzothiazolyl) PtIV derivatives, fac-[Pt(pbt)2(C6F5)L]n+ (n = 1, 0) [L = 4-Mepy 1, 4-pyridylbenzothiazole (pybt) 2, 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bpy) 3, 1,2-bis-(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) 4 (E/Z ratio: 90/10), 1,4-bis-(pyridyl)butadiyne (bpyb) 5, trifluoroacetate (-OCOCF3) 6] and a dinuclear complex [{Pt(pbt)2(C6F5)}2(μ-bpyb)](PF6)27, in which the trans ligand to the metalated C-(pbt) was varied to modify the optical properties and lipophilicity. Their photophysical properties were systematically studied through experimental and theoretical investigations, which were strongly dependent on the identity of the N-bonded ligand. Thus, complexes 1, 3 and 6 display, in different media, emission from the triplet excited states of primarily intraligand 3ILCT nature localized on the pbt ligand, while the emissions of 2, 5 and 7 were ascribed to a mixture of close 3IL'(N donor)/3ILCT(pbt) excited states, as supported by lifetime measurements and theoretical calculations. Irradiation of the initial E/Z mixture of 4 (15 min) led to a steady state composed of roughly 1 : 1.15 (E : Z) and this complex was not emissive at room temperature due to an enhanced intramolecular E to Z isomerization process of the 1,2-bis-(4-pyridyl)ethylene ligand. Complexes 1-3 and 6 showed excellent quantum yields for the generation of singlet oxygen in aerated MeCN solution with the values of ϕ(1O2) ranging from 0.66 to 0.86 using phenalenone as a reference. Cationic complexes 1-3 exhibited remarkable efficacy in the nanomolar range against A549 (lung carcinoma) and HeLa (cervix carcinoma) cell lines with notable selectivity relative to the non-tumorigenic BEAS-2B (bronchial epithelium) cells. In the A549 cell line, the neutral complex 6 showed low cytotoxicity (IC50: 29.40 μM) and high photocytotoxicity (IC50: 5.75) when cells were irradiated with blue light for 15 min. These complexes do not show evidence of DNA interaction.

Photoinduced Reductive C-C and C-Heteroatom Couplings from Bis-cyclometalated Pt(IV) Alkynyl Complexes

Unsymmetrical dicarboxylato complexes [Pt(tpy)2(O2CR)2] [tpy = cyclometalated 2-(p-tolyl)pyridine, R = Me, CF3] react with the terminal alkynes 4-methoxyphenylacetylene, phenylacetylene, 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetylene or 3,5-difluorophenylacetylene in the presence of a base to produce complexes mer-[Pt(tpy)2(O2CR)(CCAr)], in which the metalated carbon atoms are in a meridional arrangement. Irradiation of the trifluoroacetato derivatives with a 365 nm LED source leads to isomerization to the facial complexes, which can be converted to chlorido derivatives upon reaction with NH4Cl. In contrast, irradiation of the acetato derivatives leads to four different processes, namely, reduction to cis-[Pt(tpy)2], annulations involving one of the tpy ligands and the Cα and Cβ atoms of the alkynyl to give benzoquinolizinium derivatives, isomerization to the facial geometry, or C-O couplings between the acetato ligand and one tpy. The first two processes are favored by the presence of electron-donating groups on the alkynyl, whereas electron-withdrawing groups favor the last two. Irradiation of complexes fac-[Pt(tpy)2(O2CCF3)(CCAr)] with a medium-pressure Hg UV lamp leads to a reductive C-C coupling involving the alkynyl Cα atom and one of the tpy ligands to give pyridoisoindolium derivatives, except for the methoxyphenylacetylide derivative, which is photostable. On the basis of TDDFT calculations, the photoreactivity of the mer complexes is attributed to 3LLCT [π(alkynyl) → π*(tpy)] excited states for annulations or 3LMCT [π(alkynyl) → dσ*] excited states for the rest of the processes, which are accessible through thermal population from 3LC(tpy) states. The C-C couplings from the fac complexes are attributed to photoreactive pentacoordinate intermediates.

Luminescent Anionic Cyclometalated Organoplatinum (II) Complexes with Terminal and Bridging Cyanide Ligand: Structural and Photophysical Properties

We present the synthesis and characterization of two series of mononuclear heteroleptic anionic cycloplatinated(II) complexes featuring terminal cyanide ligand Q⁺[Pt(C^N)(p-MeC₆H₄)(CN)]^- [C^N = benzoquinolate (bzq), Q⁺ = K⁺ 1 and NBu₄⁺ 4; 2-phenylpyridinate (ppy), Q⁺ = K⁺ 2 and NBu₄⁺ 5 and 2-(2,4- difluorophenyl)pyridinate (dfppy), Q⁺ = K⁺ 3 and NBu₄⁺ 6] and a series of symmetrical binuclear complexes (NBu₄)[Pt₂(C^N)₂(p-MeC₆H₄)₂(μ-CN)] (C^N = bzq 7, ppy 8, dfppy 9). Compounds 5, 6, and 7-9 were further determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. There are no apparent intermolecular Pt···Pt interactions owing to the presence of bulky NBu₄⁺ counterion. Slow crystallization of K[Pt(ppy)(p-MeC₆H₄)(CN)] 2 in acetone/hexane evolves with formation of yellow crystals, which were identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods as the salt complex {[Pt(ppy)(p-MeC₆H₄)(CN)]₂K₃(OCMe₂)₄(μ-OCMe₂)₂}[Pt(ppy)(p-MeC₆H₄)(μ-CN)Pt(ppy)(p-MeC₆H₄)]·2acetone (10), featuring the binuclear anionic unit 8^- neutralized by an hybrid inorganic-organometallic coordination polymer {[Pt(ppy)(p-MeC₆H₄)(CN)]₂K₃(OCMe₂)₄(μ-OCMe₂)₂}⁺. The photophysical properties of all compounds were recorded in powder, polystyrene film, and solution states with a quantum yield up to 21% for 9 in the solid state. All complexes displayed bright emission in rigid media, and for the interpretation of their absorption and emission properties, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations were applied.

The study of a novel high selectivity pyrenyl-based fluorescence probe with aggregation-induced emission characteristics for Fe3+ detection designed by a structure modulation strategy

The past decades have witnessed the feat of fluorescent probes for Fe³⁺ detection, where eliminating the interference by other metal ions plays a pivotal role in its detection by probes in complex environments. Herein, by taking advantage of the substituent effects, the electron-withdrawing group (EWG) -CF₃ and electron-donating group (EDG) -CH₃ were introduced to 2-(1-pyrenyl)pyridine (pypyr) to prepare two turn-off fluorescence probes, 5-trifluoromethyl-2-(1-pyrenyl)pyridine (pypyr-CF3) and 5-methyl-2-(1-pyrenyl)pyridine (pypyr-CH3). Intriguingly, both probes displayed novel aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics in MeCN/H₂O mixtures and the size and morphology of the aggregated particles were studied via DLS and TEM. By the modulation strategy, pypyr-CF3 can detect Fe³⁺ in the presence of 29 different metal ions without interference. Comparatively, pypyr-CH3 experienced serious interference from other metal ions such as Hg²⁺ and Zr⁴⁺. Besides, pypyr-CF3 not only demonstrated a higher photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 65.25% and wider pH adaptability but is also capable of Fe³⁺ detection over a wide pH range of 2-11 with a short response time (5 seconds). A plausible quenching mechanism based on the inner filter effect has also been demonstrated. More importantly, the versatile applications of pypyr-CF3, such as the quantitative analysis of Fe³⁺ in actual water samples, anti-forgery ink, fingerprint identification, etc., further corroborate its superb capabilities. This study aims to lend concrete support to the design and selectivity modulation of probes.

Polymorphism and Mechanochromism in 2-Phenylbenzothiazole Cyclometalated PtII Complexes with Chelating N∧O Ligands

New cyclometalated Pt^II complexes with 2-phenylbenzothiazole (pbt) and two different picolinate ligands [Pt(pbt)(R-pic-κN,O)] (R = H (1), OH (2)) were prepared. In contrast to 1, the OH substituent group on 2 allows modulation of the packing in the solid state through donor-acceptor H-bonding interactions with the CH₂Cl₂ solvent. Thus, three pseudopolymorphs of 2 with different aggregation degrees were isolated, including yellow 2-Y, orange-red 2-R (2·0.5CH₂Cl₂) and black 2-B (2·0.75CH₂Cl₂) with emissions at 540, 656, and 740 nm, respectively, in the solid state at 298 K. 2-R and 2-B can be transformed to the pristine solid 2. Studies of their crystal structures show that 1 and 2-Y stack in columns with only π···π stacking interactions, whereas 2-R displays strong aggregated 1D infinite chains based on Pt···Pt and π···π stacking interactions, consistent with the colors and the photophysical properties, measured in several media. Interestingly, 1 and 2 exhibit reversible mechanochromic behavior with high contrast in the color and color emission upon mechanical grinding due to a phase transition between a crystalline and an amorphous state, as confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies. Theoretical calculations indicate that Pt···Pt contacts are more relevant in the trimers and tetramers than in the dimers, particularly in their T₁ states, associated with a change from a ³IL/³MLCT transition in the monomer to ³MM(L+L')CT in the oligomers. Noncovalent interaction (NCI) theoretical studies indicate that the π···π stacking among chelates also exerts a strong influence in the metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer transition character.

Luminescent 2-phenylbenzothiazole cyclometalated PtII and IrIII complexes with chelating P^O ligands

Two series of cyclometalated Pt^II and Ir^III complexes with general formulas [Pt(pbt){PPh₂(R)-κP,O}] (2a-2c) and [Ir(pbt)₂{PPh₂(R)-κP,O}] (3a-3c), where Hpbt is 2-phenylbenzothiazol and PPh₂(R) is a diphenylphosphino donor functionalized deprotonated acid (R = o-C₆H₄CO₂a, o-C₆H₄SO₃b, CH₂CH₂CO₂c) are presented. The structures of 1, 2a-2c, 3a and 3b were confirmed by single X-ray diffraction analyses, and the intermolecular interactions in 2a were studied using Hirshfeld surface analysis and non-covalent interaction (NCI) methods on its X-ray structure. Their photophysical properties were investigated by absorption and emission analyses [CH₂Cl₂, solid (298, 77 K) and doped polystyrene (PS) films], supported by TD-DFT calculations on 1, 2a-2c and 3a. The Pt^II complexes exhibit bright phosphorescence in the region 525-542 nm, ascribed to a mixed ³IL/³MLCT excited state with a predominant ³IL contribution. The Ir^III derivatives (3a-3c) show orange photoluminescence (535-584 nm, 298 K), blue shifted at 77 K (527-560 nm), originated from the admixture of ³IL/³MLCT/³LLCT excited states. Interestingly, the photoluminescence quantum yields of the Pt complexes 2a-2c (ϕ = 46.5-66.5%) in PS films are remarkably higher than those of the corresponding iridium complexes (ϕ = 17.3-32%) and the precursor 1 (ϕ = 17%). The calculated ³MC-³IL/³MLCT energy gap for 2a and 3a accounts for the higher quantum yield of the Pt in relation to the Ir complex.

Brightly Luminescent Platinum Complexes of N∧C-∧N Ligands Forming Six-Membered Chelate Rings: Offsetting Deleterious Ring Size Effects Using Site-Selective Benzannulation

Brightly emissive platinum(II) complexes (λ_emission,max = 607-612 nm) of the type ^RLPtCl are reported, where ^RL is a cyclometalated N^∧C^-∧N-coordinating ligand derived from 1,3-di(2-trifluoromethyl-4-phenanthridinyl)benzene (^CF3LH) or 1,3-di(2-tert-butyl-4-phenanthridinyl)benzene (^tBuLH). Metathesis of the chlorido ligand can be achieved under mild conditions, enabling isolation of ionic compounds with the formula [^CF3LPtL']PF₆ where L' = pyridine or (4-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), as well as the charge-neutral species ^tBuLPt(C≡C─C₆H₄─tBu) (C≡C─C₆H₄─tBu = 4-tert-butylphenylacetylido). Compared with N^∧N^∧N-ligated Pt(II) complexes that form 5-membered chelates, these compounds all contain 6-membered rings. Expanding the chelate ring size from 5 to 6 has been previously demonstrated to enhance emission in some N^∧N^∧N-coordinated Pt(II) species─for example, in complexes of 2,6-di(8-quinolinyl)pyridine vs those of 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine─but in related N^∧C^-∧N-coordinated species, luminescence quantum yields are significantly lower for the 6-membered chelate ring complexes. Here, we demonstrate that site-selective benzannulation of the quinolinyl side-arms can offset the deleterious effect of changing the chelate ring-size and boost photophysical properties such as the quantum yield. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations suggest that benzannulation counterintuitively destabilizes the emissive triplet states compared to the smaller π-system, with the "imine-bridged biphenyl" form of the phenanthridinyl arm helping to buffer against larger molecular distortions, enhancing photoluminescence quantum yields up to 0.09 ± 0.02. The spontaneous formation under aerated conditions of a Pt(IV) derivative (^CF3LPtCl₃) is also reported, together with its molecular structure in the solid state.

Investigation on Optical and Biological Properties of 2-(4-Dimethylaminophenyl)benzothiazole Based Cycloplatinated Complexes

The optical and biological properties of 2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)benzothiazole cycloplatinated complexes featuring bioactive ligands ([{Pt(Me2 N-pbt)(C6 F5 )}L] [L=Me2 N-pbtH 1, p-dpbH (4-(diphenylphosphino)benzoic acid) 2, o-dpbH (2-(diphenylphosphino)benzoic acid) 3), [Pt(Me2 N-pbt)(o-dpb)] 4, [{Pt(Me2 N-pbt)(C6 F5 )}2 (μ-PRn P)] [PR4 P=O(CH2 CH2 OC(O)C6 H4 PPh2 )2 5, PR12 P=O{(CH2 CH2 O)3 C(O)C6 H4 PPh2 }2 6] are presented. Complexes 1-6 display 1 ILCT and metal-perturbed 3 ILCT dual emissions. The ratio between both bands is excitation dependent, accomplishing warm-white emissions for 2, 5 and 6. The phosphorescent emission is lost in aerated solutions owing to photoinduced electron transfer to 3 O2 and the formation of 1 O2 , as confirmed in complexes 2 and 4. They also exhibit photoinduced phosphorescence enhancement in non-degassed DMSO due to local oxidation of DMSO by sensitized 1 O2 , which causes a local degassing. Me2 N-pbtH and the complexes specifically accumulate in the Golgi apparatus, although only 2, 3 and 6 were active against A549 and HeLa cancer cell lines, 6 being highly selective in respect to nontumoral cells. The potential photodynamic property of these complexes was demonstrated with complex 4.

Luminescent halido(aryl) Pt(IV) complexes obtained via oxidative addition of iodobenzene or diaryliodonium salts to bis-cyclometalated Pt(II) precursors

The synthesis of bis-cyclometalated halido(aryl) Pt(IV) complexes [PtX(Ar)(C^N)₂], with C^N = cyclometalated 4-(tert-butyl)-2-phenylpyridine (bppy), 2-(p-tolyl)pyridine (tpy), 2-(2-thienyl)pyridine (thpy), or 1-phenylisoquinoline (piq), X = I, Cl, or F, and Ar = Ph (for all C^N ligands) or t-BuPh (for C^N = tpy), and the photophysical properties of the chlorido and fluorido series is reported. The oxidative addition of iodobenzene to cis-[Pt(C^N)₂] precursors is demonstrated to occur in MeCN under irradiation with visible light to give complexes [PtI(Ph)(C^N)₂], presumably involving radical species that also produce the activation of the solvent to give cyanomethyl complexes [PtI(CH₂CN)(C^N)₂]. The introduction of an aryl ligand can also be achieved by reacting cis-[Pt(C^N)₂] with (Ar₂I)PF₆ (Ar = Ph, t-BuPh), which affords cationic intermediates of the type [Pt(Ar)(C^N)₂(NCMe)]⁺. The subsequent addition of an iodide or chloride salt gives the corresponding iodido- or chlorido(aryl) complexes. The fluorido(aryl) derivatives can be obtained from the iodido complexes by halide exchange using AgF. The chlorido- and fluorido(aryl) complexes display intense phosphorescence in deaerated CH₂Cl₂ solution and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films at 298 K from triplet excited states primarily localized on the cyclometalated ligands (³LC) with a small MLCT admixture. Compared with the chlorido complexes, the fluorido derivatives consistently present significantly shorter emission lifetimes and higher radiative and nonradiative rate constants due to a greater MLCT contribution to the emissive state. In contrast, the introduction of the t-BuPh group did not induce significant changes in radiative rates with respect to the phenyl complexes.

Strongly Luminescent Pt(IV) Complexes with a Mesoionic N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand: Tuning Their Photophysical Properties

The synthesis, electrochemistry, and photophysical properties of a series of bis-cyclometalated Pt(IV) complexes that combine the mesoionic aryl-NHC ligand 4-butyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (trz) with either 1-phenylpyrazole or 2-arylpyridine (C∧N) are reported. The complexes (OC-6-54)-[PtCl2(C∧N)(trz)] bearing cyclometalating 2-arylpyridines present phosphorescent emissions in the blue to yellow color range, which essentially arise from 3LC(C∧N) states, and reach quantum yields of ca. 0.3 in fluid solutions and almost unity in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrices at 298 K, thus representing a class of strong emitters with tunable properties. A systematic comparison with the homologous C2-symmetrical species (OC-6-33)-[PtCl2(C∧N)2], which contains two equal 2-arylpyridine ligands, shows that the introduction of a trz ligand leads to significantly lower nonradiative decay rates and higher quantum efficiencies. Computational calculations substantiate the effect of the carbene ligand, which raises the energy of dσ* orbitals in these derivatives and results in the higher energies of nonemissive deactivating 3LMCT states. In contrast, the isomers (OC-6-42)-[PtCl2(C∧N)(trz)] are not luminescent because they present a 3LMCT state as the lowest triplet.

The impact of cyclometalated and phosphine ligands on the luminescence properties of cycloplatinated(ii) complexes: photophysical and theoretical investigations

The effects of various C^N cyclometalated and phosphine ligands on the photophysical properties of cycloplatinated(ii) complexes were investigated experimentally and theoretically.

Fluorescent perylenylpyridine complexes: an experimental and theoretical study

The perylene derivative 2-(3-perylenyl)-4-methylpyridine (HPerPy) was prepared and used to synthesize [Ag(HPerPy)(PPh3)(OClO3)], with the perylene ligand bonded to the metal centre only by the pyridine nitrogen. The treatment of HPerPy with [Pd(OAc)2] in methanol or acetic acid led to acetate bridged dimers (μ-OOCCH3)2[Pd(PerPy)]2, six-membered or five-membered cycled at the perylenyl fragment. Substitution reactions afforded mononuclear compounds [Pd(PerPy)(acac)] (six-member or five-member cycled) and [Pd(PerPy)(S2COMe)] (six-member or five-member cycled). The reaction of HPerPy with a platinum(ii) fragment led to a five-membered cyclometallated Pt(ii) complex [Pt(PerPy)(acac)]. The oxidative addition with MeI gave the corresponding cyclometallated Pt(iv) compound [Pt(PerPy)(acac)MeI]. X-ray single crystal studies of compounds [Ag(HPerPy)(PPh3)(OClO3)], (μ-OOCCH3)2[Pd(PerPy)]2-five-membered, [Pd(PerPy)(acac)]-six-membered, [Pd(PerPy)(S2COMe)]-five-membered, [Pt(PerPy)(acac)]-five-membered, and [Pt(PerPy)(acac)MeI]-five-membered confirmed the proposed structures. The UV-Vis spectra show one intense absorption with vibronic coupling in the visible region with maxima in the range of 448-519 nm. DFT calculations were carried out for the absorption spectra of the HPerPy molecule and representative complexes [M(PerPy)(acac)] (M: Pd, Pt; five and six-membered isomers) and [Pt(PerPy)(acac)MeI], showing that the lowest energy most intense transition in the complexes corresponds to the HOMO → LUMO transition in the perylene moiety, although affected by the metallacycle size and the metal nature. All the compounds are fluorescent in solution, due to the perylene fragment. The emission spectra display maxima in the range of 468-549 nm, with quantum yields from 1.1 to 82%. The attenuation of the intensity of fluorescence by the presence of heavy atoms and the formation of metallacycles has been experimentally determined and sequenced.

Stereoselective Formation of Facial Tris-Cyclometalated PtIV Complexes: Dual Phosphorescence from Heteroleptic Derivatives

A stereoselective synthetic route to homo- and heteroleptic facial tris-cyclometalated Pt^IV complexes is reported, involving the oxidative addition of 2-(2-pyridyl)- or 2-(1-isoquinolinyl)benzenediazonium salts to cis-[Pt(C^N)₂ ] precursors, with C^N=cyclometalated 2-(p-tolyl)pyridine (tpy), 2-phenylquinoline (pq), 2-(2-thienyl)pyridine or 1-phenylisoquinoline (piq), to produce labile diazenide intermediates that undergo photochemical or thermal elimination of N₂ . The method allows the preparation of derivatives bearing cyclometalated ligands of low π-π* transition energies. The new complexes exhibit phosphorescence in fluid solution at room temperature arising from triplet ligand-centered (³ LC) excited states, which, in the cases of the heteroleptic derivatives, involve the ligand with the lowest π-π* gap. The heteroleptic piq derivatives exhibit fluorescence and dual phosphorescence from different ligand-centered excited states in rigid media, demonstrating the potential of cyclometalated Pt^IV complexes as multi-emissive materials.

Room-Temperature Phosphorescence and Efficient Singlet Oxygen Production by Cyclometalated Pt(II) Complexes with Aromatic Alkynyl Ligands

The synthesis of five novel cyclometalated platinum(II) compounds containing five different alkynyl-chromophores was achieved by the reaction of the previously synthesized Pt-Cl cyclometalated compound (1) with the corresponding RC≡CH by a Sonogashira reaction. It was observed that the spectral and photophysical characteristics of the cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes (Pt-Ar) are essentially associated with the platinum-cyclometalated unit. Room-temperature emission of the Pt-Ar complexes was attributed to phosphorescence in agreement with DFT calculations. Broad nanosecond (ns)-transient absorption spectra were observed with decays approximately identical to those obtained from the emission of the triplet state. From the femtosecond-transient absorption (fs-TA) data, two main excited-state decay components were identified: one in the order of a few picoseconds was assigned to fast intersystem crossing to populate the triplet excited-state and the second (hundreds of ns) was associated with the decay of the transient triplet state. In general, efficient singlet oxygen photosensitization quantum yields were observed from the triplet state of these complexes.

Selective synthesis, reactivity and luminescence of unsymmetrical bis-cyclometalated Pt(iv) complexes

The degree of MLCT admixture into the ³LC emitting state of unsymmetrical Pt(iv) complexes bearing two different cyclometalated ligands depends on the coordination position of the chromophoric ligand.