Introducing sterically demanding substituents and π-π-interactions into [Cu(P^P)(N^N)]+ complexes

A series of ten N^N chelating ligands based on a 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) metal-binding domain and featuring sterically hindering substituents in the 6- and 6,6'-positions has been synthesized and characterized. The ligands have been incorporated into a family of 15 heteroleptic complexes of type [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] where P^P is the wide bite-angle bisphosphane ligand bis(2(diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl)ether (POP) or (9,9-dimethyl-9H-xanthene-4,5-diyl)bis(diphenylphosphane) (xantphos). Substituents in several of the N^N ligands ligands possess phenyl rings remotely tethered to enable intra- and intermolecular π-π-interactions in the [Cu(P^P)(N^N)]+ cations. Single crystal X-ray structures of 12 complexes are reported. The effects of the functional groups in the bpy ligand on the photophysical properties of the complexes have been studied; solid-state emission maxima range from 518 to 567 nm. Values of the solid-state photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of the [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] compounds respond to the nature of the N^N ligand. In general, we observed that the [Cu(P^P)(N^N)]+ complexes containing 6,6'-disubstituted complexes with phenyl moieties connected via a CH2CH2 or CH2CH2CH2 spacer to the bpy domain have the highest values of PLQY. The most significant compounds are [Cu(POP)((2-PhEt)2bpy)][PF6] (PLQY = 67%) and [Cu(POP)((3-PhPr)2bpy)][PF6] (PLQY = 72%) where (2-PhEt)2bpy = 6,6'-bis(2-phenylethyl)-2,2'-bipyridine and (3-PhPr)2bpy = 6,6'-bis(3-phenylpropyl)-2,2'-bipyridine. These PLQY values are among the best performing previously reported families of [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] compounds.

Synthesis, structure and photoluminescence of Cu(I) complexes containing new functionalized 1,2,3-triazole ligands

The reaction of a triazole ligand, 2-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (L1), with 2-bromopyridine afforded three new ligands, 2,2'-(1H-1,2,3-triazole-1,4-diyl)dipyridine (L2), 2,2'-(2H-1,2,3-triazole-2,4-diyl)dipyridine (L3) and 2,2'-(1H-1,2,3-triazole-1,5-diyl)dipyridine (L4). A series of luminescent mononuclear copper(I) complexes of these ligands [Cu(Ln)(P^P)](ClO4) [n = 1, P^P = (PPh3)2 (1); n = 1, P^P = POP (2); n = 2, P^P = (PPh3)2 (3); n = 2, P^P = POP (4); n = 3, P^P = (PPh3)2 (5); n = 3, P^P = POP (6); n = 4, P^P = (PPh3)2 (9); n = 4, P^P = POP (10)] have been obtained from the reaction of Ln with [Cu(MeCN)4]ClO4 in the presence of PPh3 and POP. L3 was also found to form dinuclear compounds [Cu2(L3)(PPh3)4](ClO4)2 (7) and [Cu2(L3)(POP)2](ClO4)2 (8). All of the Cu(I) compounds have been characterized by IR, UV/vis, CV, 1H NMR, and 31P{1H} NMR. The molecular structures of 1-3, 5, and 7 have been further determined by X-ray crystallography. In CH2Cl2 solutions, these Cu(I) complexes exhibit tunable green to orange emissions (563-621 nm) upon excitation at λex = 380 nm. In the solid state, these complexes show intense emissions and it is interesting to note that 1 and 3 are blue-light emitters. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the lowest energy electronic transition associated with these complexes predominantly originates from metal-to-ligand charge transfer transitions (MLCT).

Photoactive Copper Complexes: Properties and Applications

Photocatalyzed and photosensitized chemical processes have seen growing interest recently and have become among the most active areas of chemical research, notably due to their applications in fields such as medicine, chemical synthesis, material science or environmental chemistry. Among all homogeneous catalytic systems reported to date, photoactive copper(I) complexes have been shown to be especially attractive, not only as alternative to noble metal complexes, and have been extensively studied and utilized recently. They are at the core of this review article which is divided into two main sections. The first one focuses on an exhaustive and comprehensive overview of the structural, photophysical and electrochemical properties of mononuclear copper(I) complexes, typical examples highlighting the most critical structural parameters and their impact on the properties being presented to enlighten future design of photoactive copper(I) complexes. The second section is devoted to their main areas of application (photoredox catalysis of organic reactions and polymerization, hydrogen production, photoreduction of carbon dioxide and dye-sensitized solar cells), illustrating their progression from early systems to the current state-of-the-art and showcasing how some limitations of photoactive copper(I) complexes can be overcome with their high versatility.

The Tail Wags the Dog: The Far Periphery of the Coordination Environment Manipulates the Photophysical Properties of Heteroleptic Cu(I) Complexes

In this work we show, using the example of a series of [Cu(Xantphos)(N^N)]+ complexes (N^N being substituted 5-phenyl-bipyridine) with different peripheral N^N ligands, that substituents distant from the main action zone can have a significant effect on the physicochemical properties of the system. By using the C≡C bond on the periphery of the coordination environment, three hybrid molecular systems with -Si(CH3)3, -Au(PR3), and -C2HN3(CH2)C10H7 fragments were produced. The Cu(I) complexes thus obtained demonstrate complicated emission behaviour, which was investigated by spectroscopic, electrochemical, and computational methods in order to understand the mechanism of energy transfer. It was found that the -Si(CH3)3 fragment connected to the peripheral C≡C bond changes luminescence to long-lived intra-ligand phosphorescence, in contrast to MLCT phosphorescence or TADF. The obtained results can be used for the design of new materials based on Cu(I) complexes with controlled optoelectronic properties on the molecular level, as well as for the production of hybrid systems.

The surprising effects of sulfur: achieving long excited-state lifetimes in heteroleptic copper(i) emitters

A series of heteroleptic [Cu(N^N)(P^P)][PF6] complexes is reported in which N^N is a di(methylsulfanyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (2,9-, 3,8- or 4,7-(MeS)2phen) or di(methoxy)-1,10-phenanthroline (2,9-, 3,8- or 4,7-(MeO)2phen) and P^P is bis(2-(diphenylphosphano)phenyl)ether (POP) or 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphano)-9,9-dimethylxanthene (xantphos). The effects of the different substituents are investigated through structural, electrochemical and photophysical studies and by using DFT and TD-DFT calculations. Introducing methylsulfanyl groups in the 2,9-, 3,8- or 4,7-positions of the phen domain alters the composition of the frontier molecular orbitals of the [Cu(N^N)(P^P)]+ complexes significantly, so that ligand-centred (LC) transitions become photophysically relevant with respect to metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT). Within this series, [Cu(2,9-(MeS)2phen)(POP)][PF6] exhibits the highest photoluminescence quantum yield of 15% and the longest excited-state lifetime of 8.3 μs in solution. In the solid state and in frozen matrices at 77 K, the electronic effects of the methylsulfanyl or methoxy substituents are highlighted, thus resulting in luminescence lifetimes of 2 to 4.2 ms at 77 K with predominantly LC character for both the 3,8- and 4,7-(MeS)2phen containing complexes. The results of the investigation give new guidelines on how to influence the luminescence properties in [Cu(N^N)(P^P)]+ complexes which will aid in the development of new sustainable and efficient copper(i) emitters.

Dependence between luminescence properties of Cu(i) complexes and electronic/structural parameters derived from steric effects

Quantification of steric effects induced by bulky N^N ligands and their relationship with the luminescence properties of Cu(i) complexes.

Unusual fluorescence behaviour of a heteroleptic Cu(i) complex featuring strong electron donating groups on a diimine ligand

Synthesis of a novel bulky diimine ligand and its corresponding heteroleptic Cu(i). Unusual fluorescence behavior of a novel Cu(i) complex due to a strong electron-donor diimine ligand.

A counterion study of a series of [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][A] compounds with bis(phosphane) and 6-methyl and 6,6'-dimethyl-substituted 2,2'-bipyridine ligands for light-emitting electrochemical cells

The syntheses and characterisations of a series of heteroleptic copper(I) compounds [Cu(POP)(Mebpy)][A], [Cu(POP)(Me2bpy)][A], [Cu(xantphos)(Mebpy)][A] and [Cu(xantphos)(Me2bpy)][A] in which [A]- is [BF4]-, [PF6]-, [BPh4]- and [BArF4]- (Mebpy = 6-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine, Me2bpy = 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, POP = oxydi(2,1-phenylene)bis(diphenylphosphane), xantphos = (9,9-dimethyl-9H-xanthene-4,5-diyl)bis(diphenylphosphane), [BArF4]- = tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate) are reported. Nine of the compounds have been characterised by single crystal X-ray crystallography, and the consequences of the different anions on the packing interactions in the solid state are discussed. The effects of the counterion on the photophysical properties of [Cu(POP)(N^N)][A] and [Cu(xantphos)(N^N)][A] (N^N = Mebpy and Me2bpy) have been investigated. In the solid-state emission spectra, the highest energy emission maxima are for [Cu(xantphos)(Mebpy)][BPh4] and [Cu(xantphos)(Me2bpy)][BPh4] (λemmax = 520 nm) whereas the lowest energy λemmax values occur for [Cu(POP)(Mebpy)][PF6] and [Cu(POP)(Mebpy)][BPh4] (565 nm and 563 nm, respectively). Photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) are noticeably affected by the counterion; in the [Cu(xantphos)(Me2bpy)][A] series, solid-state PLQY values decrease from 62% for [PF6]-, to 44%, 35% and 27% for [BF4]-, [BPh4]- and [BArF4]-, respectively. This latter series of compounds was used as active electroluminescent materials on light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs). The luminophores were mixed with ionic liquids (ILs) [EMIM][A] ([EMIM]+ = [1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium]+) containing the same or different counterions than the copper(I) complex. LECs containing [Cu(xantphos)(Me2bpy)][BPh4] and [Cu(xantphos)(Me2bpy)][BArF4] failed to turn on under the LEC operating conditions, whereas those with the smaller [PF6]- or [BF4]- counterions had rapid turn-on times and exhibited maximum luminances of 173 and 137 cd m-2 and current efficiencies of 3.5 and 2.6 cd A-1, respectively, when the IL contained the same counterion as the luminophore. Mixing the counterions ([PF6]- and [BF4]-) of the active complex and the IL led to a reduction in all the figures of merit of the LECs.

A Series of Mixed-Ligand Cu(I) Complexes Comprising Diphosphine-Disulfide Ligands: Effects of Diphosphine Ligands on Luminescent Properties

Mixed-ligand Cu(I) complexes have attracted attention as alternatives to the noble- and/or rare-metal complexes, because of their remarkable photofunctions. To develop mixed-ligand Cu(I) complexes with rich photofunctions, an investigation of a suitable combination of ligands has captured more and more research interests. Herein, we report the first examples of emissive heteroleptic diphosphine-disulfide Cu(I) complexes combined with diphosphine ligands. The systematic study using a series of diphosphine ligands revealed that large π-conjugated bridging moieties between the two P atoms in the diphosphine ligands result in higher light-emission performance. When the diphosphine ligand was (R)-BINAP ((R)-BINAP = (R)-(+)-2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl), the Cu(I) complex had an emission quantum yield (Φ_em) of 0.13 and a long emission lifetime (τ_em = 118 μs).

Positional Isomerism in the N^N Ligand: How Much Difference Does a Methyl Group Make in [Cu(P^P)(N^N)]+ Complexes?

The synthesis and structural characterization of 5,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (5,6′-Me₂bpy) are reported, along with the preparations and characterizations of [Cu(POP)(5,6′-Me₂bpy)][PF₆] and [Cu(xantphos)(5,6′-Me₂bpy)][PF₆] (POP = bis(2-(diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl)ether, xantphos = 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)-9,9-dimethyl-9H-xanthene). Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of [Cu(POP)(5,6′-Me₂bpy)][PF₆] and [Cu(xantphos)(5,6′-Me₂bpy)][PF₆] confirmed distorted tetrahedral copper(I) coordination environments with the 5-methylpyridine ring of 5,6′-Me₂bpy directed towards the (C₆H₄)₂O unit of POP or the xanthene unit of xantphos. In the xantphos case, this preference may be attributed to C–H…π interactions involving both the 6-CH unit and the 5-methyl substituent in the 5-methylpyridine ring and the arene rings of the xanthene unit. ¹H NMR spectroscopic data indicate that this ligand orientation is also preferred in solution. In solution and the solid state, [Cu(POP)(5,6′-Me₂bpy)][PF₆] and [Cu(xantphos)(5,6′-Me₂bpy)][PF₆] are yellow emitters, and, for powdered samples, photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) are 12 and 11%, respectively, and excited-state lifetimes are 5 and 6 μs, respectively. These values are lower than PLQY and τ values for [Cu(POP)(6,6′-Me₂bpy)][PF₆] and [Cu(xantphos)(6,6′-Me₂bpy)][PF₆], and the investigation points to the 6,6′-dimethyl substitution pattern in the bpy ligand being critical for enhancement of the PLQY.

The Role of Percent Volume Buried in the Characterization of Copper(I) Complexes for Lighting Purposes

The usefulness of percent volume buried (%V_bur) as a readily quantifiable property is investigated with regard to [Cu(NN)(PP)]⁺ complexes of interest for lighting purposes. Photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) and single crystal X-ray structures of 100 reported compounds were assembled, %V_bur of the ligand systems were calculated and analyzed for correlations. We found that increased shielding of the central Cu(I) cation relying on shared contributions of both (NN) and (PP) ligand systems led to increased PLQYs. These findings are of relevance for future characterizations of Cu(I)-based complexes and their photophysical behavior in the solid-state.

Extended π-Systems in Diimine Ligands in [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] Complexes: From 2,2′-Bipyridine to 2-(Pyridin-2-yl)Quinoline

We describe the synthesis and characterization of [Cu(POP)(1)][PF6], [Cu(POP)(2)][PF6], [Cu(xantphos)(1)][PF6], and [Cu(xantphos)(2)][PF6] in which ligands 1 and 2 are 2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinoline and 2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)quinoline, respectively. With 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) as a benchmark, we assess the impact of the extended π-system on structural and solid-state photophysical properties. The single crystal structures of [Cu(POP)(2)][PF6], [Cu(xantphos)(1)][PF6], and [Cu(xantphos)(2)][PF6] were determined and confirmed a distorted tetrahedral copper(I) coordination environment in each [Cu(P^P)(N^N)]+ cation. The xanthene unit in [Cu(xantphos)(1)][PF6] and [Cu(xantphos)(2)][PF6] hosts the quinoline unit of 1, and the 6-methylpyridine group of 2. 1H NMR spectroscopic data indicate that these different ligand orientations are also observed in acetone solution. In their crystal structures, the [Cu(POP)(2)]+, [Cu(xantphos)(1)]+, and [Cu(xantphos)(2)]+ cations exhibit different edge-to-face and face-to-face π-interactions, but in all cases, the copper(I) centre is effectively protected by a ligand sheath. In [Cu(POP)(2)][PF6], pairs of cations engage in an efficient face-to-face π-stacking embrace, and we suggest that this may contribute to this compound having the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY = 21%) of the series. With reference to data from the Cambridge Structural Database, we compare packing effects and PLQY data for the complexes incorporating 2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinoline and 2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)quinoline, with those of the benchmark bpy-containing compounds. We also assess the effect that Cu⋯O distances in the {Cu(POP)} and {Cu(xantphos)} domains of [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][X] compounds have on solid-state PLQY values.

The shiny side of copper: bringing copper(i) light-emitting electrochemical cells closer to application

Heteroleptic [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF₆] complexes, where N^N is 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (5,5′-Me₂bpy), 4,5,6-trimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (4,5,6-Me₃bpy), 6-(tert-butyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (6-tBubpy) and 2-ethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2-Etphen) and P^P is either bis(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)ether (POP, PIN [oxydi(2,1-phenylene)]bis(diphenylphosphane)) or 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene (xantphos, PIN (9,9-dimethyl-9H-xanthene-4,5-diyl)bis(diphenylphosphane)) have been synthesized and their NMR spectroscopic, mass spectrometric, structural, electrochemical and photophysical properties were investigated. The single-crystal structures of [Cu(POP)(5,5′-Me₂bpy)][PF₆], [Cu(xantphos)(5,5′-Me₂bpy)][PF₆], [Cu(POP)(6-tBubpy)][PF₆], [Cu(POP)(4,5,6-Me₃bpy)][PF₆]·1.5Et₂O, [Cu(xantphos)(4,5,6-Me₃bpy)][PF₆]·2.33CH₂Cl₂, [Cu(POP)(2-Etphen)][PF₆] and [Cu(xantphos)(2-Etphen)][PF₆] are described. While alkyl substituents in general exhibit electron-donating properties, variation in the nature and substitution-position of the alkyl group in the N^N chelate leads to different effects in the photophysical properties of the [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF₆] complexes. In the solid state, the complexes are yellow to green emitters with emission maxima between 518 and 602 nm, and photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) ranging from 1.1 to 58.8%. All complexes show thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). The complexes were employed in the active layer of light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs). The device performance properties are among the best reported for copper-based LECs, with maximum luminance values of up to 462 cd m⁻² and device half-lifetimes of up to 98 hours.

Heteroleptic copper(i) complexes with bisphosphanes and astutely tuned N^N chelating ligands as emitters give bright LECs with record-breaking stability.

Luminescent phosphine copper(i) complexes with various functionalized bipyridine ligands: synthesis, structures, photophysics and computational study

A new series of luminescent phosphine copper(i) complexes with cyano- and hydroxyl-substituted 2,2′-bipyridine ligands have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Their luminescent properties have also been investigated in detail.

Intra-Cation versus Inter-Cation π-Contacts in [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] Complexes

A series of [Cu(POP)(N^N][PF6] and [Cu(xantphos)(N^N][PF6] compounds has been prepared and characterized in which POP = bis[2-(diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl]ether (IUPAC PIN oxydi(2,1-phenylene)bis(diphenylphosphane), xantphos = 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)-9,9-dimethyl-9H-xanthene (IUPAC PIN (9,9-dimethyl-9H-xanthene- 4,5-diyl)bis(diphenylphosphane)) and the N^N ligands are 4-(4-bromophenyl)-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′- bipyridine (1), 5,5′-bis(3-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine (2), and 6-benzyl-2,2′-bipyridine (3). The single crystal structures of [Cu(xantphos)(1)][PF6]·CH2Cl2, [Cu(xantphos)(2)][PF6]·CH2Cl2 and [Cu(POP)(3)][PF6]·0.5H2O were determined by X-ray diffraction. Each complex contains a copper(I) ion in a distorted tetrahedral environment with chelating N^N and P^P ligands. In the [Cu(xantphos)(1)]+ and [Cu(xantphos)(2)]+ cations, there are face-to-face π-stackings of bpy and PPh2 phenyl rings (i.e., between the ligands); in addition in [Cu(xantphos)(2)][PF6]·CH2Cl2, inter-cation π-embraces lead to the formation of infinite chains as a primary packing motif. In [Cu(POP)(3)][PF6]·0.5H2O, centrosymmetric pairs of [Cu(POP)(3)]+ cations engage in C–H…π (phenyl to bpy) and offset face-to-face (bpy…bpy) contacts. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of the compounds containing ligands 1 and 2 are reported. They are green or yellow emitters in the solid-state (λem in the range 535–577 nm) with values for the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) in the range 19%–41%.

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence with 7% external quantum efficiency from a light-emitting electrochemical cell

We report on light-emitting electrochemical cells, comprising a solution-processed single-layer active material and air-stabile electrodes, that exhibit efficient and bright thermally activated delayed fluorescence. Our optimized devices delivers a luminance of 120 cd m^-2 at an external quantum efficiency of 7.0%. As such, it outperforms the combined luminance/efficiency state-of-the art for thermally activated delayed fluorescence light-emitting electrochemical cells by one order of magnitude. For this end, we employed a polymeric blend host for balanced electrochemical doping and electronic transport as well as uniform film formation, an optimized concentration (<1 mass%) of guest for complete host-to-guest energy transfer at minimized aggregation and efficient emission, and an appropriate concentration of an electrochemically stabile electrolyte for desired doping effects. The generic nature of our approach is manifested in the attainment of bright and efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence emission from three different light-emitting electrochemical cells with invariant host:guest:electrolyte number ratio.

Hinged and Wide: A New P^P Ligand for Emissive [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] Complexes

Heteroleptic [Cu(BIPHEP)(N^N)][PF6] complexes (BIPHEP = 1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diylbis(diphenylphosphane)), in which N^N is 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 6-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine (6-Mebpy), 6-ethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (6-Etbpy), or 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (5,5'-Me2bpy), have been synthesized and characterized using multinuclear NMR spectroscopies and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The single crystal structures of [Cu(BIPHEP)(bpy)][PF6]∙CH2Cl2, [Cu(BIPHEP)(5,5'-Me2bpy)][PF6]∙CH2Cl2, [Cu(BIPHEP)(6-Mebpy)][PF6]∙Et2O∙0.5H2O and [Cu(BIPHEP)(6-Etbpy)][PF6] confirm distorted tetrahedral {Cu(P^P)(N^N)} coordination environments. Each compound shows a quasi-reversible Cu+/Cu2+ process. In deaerated solution, the compounds are weak emitters. Powdered samples are yellow emitters (λemmax in the range 558-583 nm) and [Cu(BIPHEP)(5,5'-Me2bpy)][PF6] exhibits the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY = 14%). On cooling to 77 K (frozen 2-methyloxolane), the emission maxima are red-shifted and the excited state lifetimes increase from τ1/2 < 8 μs, to τ1/2 values of up to 53 μs, consistent with the compounds with N^N = 6-Mebpy, 6-Etbpy and 5,5'-Me2bpy exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF).

Polynuclear Cu(i) and Ag(i) phosphine complexes containing multi-dentate polytopic ligands: syntheses, crystal structures and photoluminescence properties

A series of polynuclear metal complexes, [Cu2(L1)(PPh3)4](ClO4)2 (1), [Cu3(L2)(PPh3)6](ClO4) (2), [Cu3(L3)(PPh3)6] (3), [Ag2(L1)(PPh3)4](BF4)2 (4), [Ag4(L2)2(PPh3)6] (5) and [Ag3(L3)(PPh3)5] (6), have been obtained from the reactions of the highly conjugated bridging ligands 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (L1), 2,3-bis(2-tetrazoyl)pyrazine (H2L2) and 2,3-bis(2-tetrazoyl)imidazole (H3L3) with [Cu(MeCN)4]ClO4 and AgBF4, respectively. Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography and their photophysical properties have been investigated in detail. Complexes 1 and 3 show photoluminescence in CH2Cl2 solution, while all the complexes exhibit obvious luminescence in the solid state; detailed photophysical studies and density functional theory calculations of these complexes have revealed that their lowest energy absorptions and emissions are predominantly derived from either metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) or intraligand (IL) excited states.

Naked-eye repeatable off–on–off and on–off–on switching luminescence of copper(i)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline complexes with reversible acid–base responses

Repeatable off–on–off or on–off–on luminescence of a series of Cu(i) complexes is observed with reversible base–acid or acid–base responses.

Phosphane tuning in heteroleptic [Cu(N^N)(P^P)]+ complexes for light-emitting electrochemical cells

The effects on photo-and electroluminescent properties of structurally modifying the bisphosphane in [Cu(N^N)(P^P)]⁺ complexes (N^N = bpy, 6-Mebpy, 6,6′-Me₂bpy) are described.

Luminescent copper(i) complexes with bisphosphane and halogen-substituted 2,2'-bipyridine ligands

Heteroleptic [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] complexes, where N^N is a halo-substituted 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and P^P is either bis(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)ether (POP) or 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene (xantphos) have been synthesized and investigated. To stabilize the tetrahedral geometry of the copper(i) complexes, the steric demands of the bpy ligands have been increased by introducing 6- or 6,6'-halo-substituents in 6,6'-dichloro-2,2'-bipyridine (6,6'-Cl2bpy), 6-bromo-2,2'-bipyridine (6-Brbpy) and 6,6'-dibromo-2,2'-bipyridine (6,6'-Br2bpy). The solid-state structures of [Cu(POP)(6,6'-Cl2bpy)][PF6], [Cu(xantphos)(6,6'-Cl2bpy)][PF6]·CH2Cl2, [Cu(POP)(6-Brbpy)][PF6] and [Cu(xantphos)(6-Brbpy)][PF6]·0.7Et2O obtained from single crystal X-ray diffraction are described including the pressure dependence of the structure of [Cu(POP)(6-Brbpy)][PF6]. The copper(i) complexes with either POP or xantphos and 6,6'-Cl2bpy, 6-Brbpy and 6,6'-Br2bpy are orange-to-red emitters in solution and yellow-to-orange emitters in the solid state, and their electrochemical and photophysical properties have been evaluated with the help of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The emission properties are strongly influenced by the substitution pattern that largely affects the geometry of the emitting triplet state. [Cu(POP)(6,6'-Cl2bpy)][PF6] and [Cu(xantphos)(6,6'-Cl2bpy)][PF6] show photoluminescence quantum yields of 15 and 17%, respectively, in the solid state, and these compounds were tested as luminophores in light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs). The devices exhibit orange electroluminescence and very short turn-on times (<5 to 12 s). Maximum luminance values of 121 and 259 cd m-2 for [Cu(POP)(6,6'-Cl2bpy)][PF6] and [Cu(xantphos)(6,6'-Cl2bpy)][PF6], respectively, were achieved at an average current density of 100 A m-2. External quantum efficiencies of 1.2% were recorded for both complexes.

Cu(I) complexes regulated by N-heterocyclic ligands: Syntheses, structures, fluorescence and electrochemical properties

Three mononuclear Cu(I) complexes, namely, [Cu(2-PBO)(PPh₃)₂]·ClO₄·2CH₂Cl₂ (1), [Cu(3-PBO)(PPh₃)₂(ClO₄)]·CH₂Cl₂ (2) and [Cu(PBM)(PPh₃)₂]·ClO₄ (3) (2-PBO = 2-(2'-Pyridyl)benzoxazole, 3-PBO = 2-(3'-Pyridyl)benzoxazole, PBM = 2-(2'-Pyridyl)benzimidazole, PPh₃ = triphenylphosphine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, X-ray single crystal diffraction and thermal analysis. Photoluminescent investigation shows that complexes 1-3 exhibit distinct tunable light green (512 nm)-to-yellow (557 nm) photoluminescence by varying the N-heterocyclic ligands. Three complexes show intense 2-PBO-based yellow, 3-PBO-based light green and intense PBM-based bright green luminescence upon irradiation with a standard UV lamp (λ_ex = 254 nm) at room temperature. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of 1-3 have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The results suggest the frontier molecular orbits and the HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of these cuprous complexes are effectively adjusted through the introduction of different N-heterocyclic ligands, thus achieving the selective luminescence of the cuprous complexes.

Supramolecularly Caged Green-Emitting Ionic Ir(III)-Based Complex with Fluorinated C^N Ligands and Its Application in Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells

Ionic Ir(III) complexes are the most promising emitters in light emitting electrochemical cells (LECs), especially in the high energy emission range for which it is difficult to find emitters with sufficient efficiencies and lifetimes. To overcome this challenge, we introduced the concept of intramolecular π-π stacking of an ancillary ligand (6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine, pbpy) in the design of a new green-emitting iridium ionic transition metal complex with a fluoro-substituted cyclometallated ligand, 2-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridinato (4Fppy). [Ir(4Fppy)₂(pbpy)][PF₆] has been synthesized and characterized and its photophysical and electrochemical properties have been studied. The complex emits green light with maxima at 561 and 556 nm under UV excitation from powder and thin film, respectively, and displays a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 78.5%. [Ir(4Fppy)₂(pbpy)][PF₆] based LECs driven under pulsed current conditions showed under an average current density of 100 A m^-2 (at 50% duty cycle) a maximum luminance of 1443 cd m^-2, resulting in 14.4 cd A^-1 and 7.4 lm W^-1 current and power efficiencies, respectively. A remarkable long device lifetime of 214 h was observed. Reducing the average current density to 18.5 A m^-2 (at 75% duty cycle) led to an exceptional device performance of 19.3 cd A^-1 and 14.4 lm W^1- for current and power efficiencies, an initial maximum luminance of 352 cd m^-2 and a lifetime of 617 h.

Visible-Light-Driven Photosystems Using Heteroleptic Cu(I) Photosensitizers and Rh(III) Catalysts To Produce H2

The synthesis of two new heteroleptic Cu(I) photosensitizers (PS), [Cu(Xantphos)(NN)]PF₆ (NN = biq = 2,2'-biquinoline, dmebiq = 2,2'-biquinoline-4,4'-dimethyl ester; Xantphos = 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene), along with the associated structural, photophysical, and electrochemical properties, are described. The biquinoline diimine ligand extends the PS light absorbing properties into the visible with a maximum absorption at 455 and 505 nm for NN = biq and dmebiq, respectively, in CH₂Cl₂ solvent. Following photoexcitation, both Cu(I) PS are emissive at low energy, albeit displaying stark differences in their excited state lifetimes (τ_MLCT = 410 ± 5 (biq) and 44 ± 4 ns (dmebiq)). Cyclic voltammetry indicates a Cu-based HOMO and NN-based LUMO for both complexes, whereby the methyl ester substituents stabilize the LUMO within [Cu(Xantphos)(dmebiq)]⁺ by ∼0.37 V compared to the unsubstituted analogue. When combined with H₂O, N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) electron donor, and cis-[Rh(NN)₂Cl₂]PF₆ (NN = Me₂bpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dmebpy = 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dimethyl ester) water reduction catalysts (WRC), photocatalytic H₂ evolution is only observed using the [Cu(Xantphos)(biq)]⁺ PS. Furthermore, the choice of cis-[Rh(NN)₂Cl₂]⁺ WRC strongly affects the catalytic activity with turnover numbers (TON_Rh = mol H₂ per mol Rh catalyst) of 25 ± 3, 22 ± 1, and 43 ± 3 for NN = Me₂bpy, bpy, and dmebpy, respectively. This work illustrates how ligand modification to carefully tune the PS light absorbing, excited state, and redox-active properties, along with the WRC redox potentials, can have a profound impact on the photoinduced intermolecular electron transfer between components and the subsequent catalytic activity.

CF3 Substitution of [Cu(P^P)(bpy)][PF6 ] Complexes: Effects on Photophysical Properties and Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cell Performance

Herein, [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF₆ ] complexes (P^P=bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether (POP) or 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene (xantphos); N^N=CF₃ -substituted 2,2'-bipyridines (6,6'-(CF₃ )₂ bpy, 6-CF₃ bpy, 5,5'-(CF₃ )₂ bpy, 4,4'-(CF₃ )₂ bpy, 6,6'-Me₂ -4,4'-(CF₃ )₂ bpy)) are reported. The effects of CF₃ substitution on their structure as well as their electrochemical and photophysical properties are also presented. The HOMO-LUMO gap was tuned by the N^N ligand; the largest redshift in the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) band was for [Cu(P^P){5,5'-(CF₃ )₂ bpy}][PF₆ ]. In solution, the compounds are weak yellow to red emitters. The emission properties depend on the substitution pattern, but this cannot be explained by simple electronic arguments. Among powders, [Cu(xantphos){4,4'-(CF₃ )₂ bpy}][PF₆ ] has the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY; 50.3 %) with an emission lifetime of 12 μs. Compared to 298 K solution behavior, excited-state lifetimes became longer in frozen Me-THF (77 K; THF=tetrahydrofuran), thus indicating thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations show that the energy gap between the lowest-energy singlet and triplet excited states (0.12-0.20 eV) permits TADF. Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) with [Cu(POP)+(6-CF₃ bpy)][PF₆ ], [Cu(xantphos)(6-CF₃ bpy)][PF₆ ], or [Cu(xantphos){6,6'-Me₂ -4,4'-(CF₃ )₂ bpy}][PF₆ ] emit yellow electroluminescence. The LEC with [Cu(xantphos){6,6'-Me₂ -4,4'-(CF₃ )₂ bpy}][PF₆ ] had the fastest turn-on time (8 min), and the LEC with the longest lifetime (t_1/2 =31 h) contained [Cu(xantphos)(6-CF₃ bpy)][PF₆ ]; these LECs reached maximum luminances of 131 and 109 cd m^-2 , respectively.

Self-assembly of heteroleptic dinuclear silver(i) complexes bridged by bis(diphenylphosphino)ethyne

We present a study of the self-assembling behaviour in solution of Ag[PF₆] with one equivalent of an N^N ligand (N^N = 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (6,6'-Me₂bpy) or 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (tpy)), together with either 0.5 or one equivalent of the bridging ligand bis(diphenylphosphino)ethyne (dppa). Each product contains a dinuclear cation, with one or two dppa ligands bridging the two Ag⁺ centres; 6,6'-Me₂bpy and tpy, respectively, act as chelating ligands. The compounds have been analysed in solution using NMR spectroscopic methods (¹H, ¹H{³¹P}, COSY, NOESY, ¹³C, HMQC and HMBC), including room and low temperature measurements. ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra recorded at different temperatures allow a deeper insight into the dynamic equilibrium processes. In addition, solution ³¹P-¹⁰⁹Ag HSQC spectroscopic measurements were performed and show, inter alia, the ratio of the splitting in the F1 dimension and the ¹J_{³¹P-¹⁰⁹Ag} coupling constant in the fully coupled HSQC. Single crystal X-ray diffraction yielded two pseudo-polymorphic structures for the doubly-bridged [Ag₂(dppa)₂(tpy)₂][PF₆]₂ and one for the singly-bridged [Ag₂(dppa)(6,6'-Me₂bpy)₂][PF₆]₂.

Luminescent copper(i) complexes with bisphosphane and halogen-substituted 2,2′-bipyridine ligands

Light-emitting electrochemical cells with Cu(i) emitters with halo-substituted 2,2′-bipyridine ligands display orange electroluminescence and short turn-on times.

Heteroleptic Cu(i) complexes bearing methoxycarbonyl-imidoylindazole and POP ligands – an experimental and theoretical study of their photophysical properties

Substitutions in the ligand play a key role in the photophysical properties of new Cu(i) complexes.

Copper(i) and silver(i) complexes of 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)xanthene: photophysical properties and structural rigidity under pressure

Structural, photophysical and electrochemical properties of heteroleptic copper(i) and silver(i) complexes [M(tBu-xantphos)(bpy)][PF₆] are described where tBu-xantphos is 4,5-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene.

σ-Hammett parameter: a strategy to enhance both photo- and electro-luminescence features of heteroleptic copper(i) complexes

Hammett was also right for devices. This work directly links the enhancement of both the photoluminescence properties in solid-state and the electroluminescence features in light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) with a rational ligand design using the σ-Hammett parameter.

The effects of introducing sterically demanding aryl substituents in [Cu(N^N)(P^P)]+ complexes

[Cu(6-Arbpy)(POP)][PF₆] and [Cu(6-Arbpy)(xantphos)][PF₆] compounds in which Ar is a sterically hindered aryl substituent are described; structural and solution dynamical consequences of the bulky groups are investigated.