Fast and reversible solvent-vapor-induced 1D to 2D transformation in emissive Ag(I)-organic networks

We report here an unprecedentedly fast and reversible transformation between 1D and 2D MOFs/CPs induced through organic solvent vapours. The transformations occur at room temperature in just 15-20 min, accompanied by a significant change in the observed phosphorescence. These findings provide a new insight into the design of luminescent networks with stimuli-switchable dimensionality.

Strong Magnetically-Responsive Circularly Polarized Phosphorescence and X-Ray Scintillation in Ultrarobust Mn(II)-Organic Helical Chains

Over recent years, Mn(II)-organic materials showing circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) have attracted great interest because of their eco-friendliness, cheapness, and room temperature phosphorescence. Using the helicity design strategy, herein, chiral Mn(II)-organic helical polymers are constructed featuring long-lived circularly polarized phosphorescence with exceptionally high glum and ΦPL magnitudes of 0.021% and 89%, respectively, while remaining ultrarobust toward humidity, temperature, and X-rays. Equally important, it is disclosed for the first time that the magnetic field has a remarkably high negative effect on CPL for Mn(II) materials, suppressing the CPL signal by 4.2-times atB ⃗ $\vec{B}$  = 1.6 T. Using the designed materials, UV-pumped CPL light-emitting diodes are fabricated, demonstrating enhanced optical selectivity under right- and left-handed polarization conditions. On top of all this, the reported materials display bright triboluminescence and excellent X-ray scintillation activity with a perfectly linear X-ray dose rate response up to 174 µGyair  s-1 . Overall, these observations significantly contribute to the CPL phenomenon for multi-spin compounds and promote the design of highly efficient and stable Mn(II)-based CPL emitters.

Recent progress in dichalcophosphate coinage metal clusters and superatoms

Atomically precise clusters of group 11 metals (Cu, Ag, and Au) attract considerable attention owing to their remarkable structure and fascinating properties. One of the unique subclasses of these clusters is based on dichalcophosphate ligands of [(RO)₂PE₂]^- type (E = S or Se, and R = alkyl). These ligands successfully stabilise the most diverse Cu, Ag, and Au clusters and superatoms, spanning from simple ones to amazing assemblies featuring unusual structural and bonding patterns. It is noteworthy that such complicated clusters are assembled directly from cheap and simple reagents, metal(I) salts and dichalcophosphate anions. This reaction, when performed in the presence of a hydride or other anion sources, or foreign metal ions, results in hydrido- or anion-templated homo- or heteronuclear structures. In this feature article, we survey the recent advances in this exciting field, highlighting the powerful synthetic capabilities of the system "a metal(I) salt - [(RO)₂PX₂]^- ligands - a templating anion or borohydride" as an inexhaustible platform for the creation of new atomically precise clusters, superatoms, and nanoalloys.

A new subclass of copper(I) hybrid emitters showing TADF with near-unity quantum yields and a strong solvatochromic effect

We introduce here a new subclass of copper(I) hybrid emitters simultaneously containing [Cu_xI_y]^z- anions and Cu⁺ cations, separated in space by a Janus head ligand. When UV-irradiated at 298 K, these unique "Two-In-One" hybrids exhibit a short-lived green TADF with near-unity quantum yield and a strong solvatochromic effect. Moreover, they manifest a strong radioluminescence upon X-ray irradiation. These findings open up new possibilities for the design of highly performing TADF materials.

A family of CuI-based 1D polymers showing colorful short-lived TADF and phosphorescence induced by photo- and X-ray irradiation

Exploiting 2-(alkylsulfonyl)pyridines as 1,3-N,S-ligands, herein we have constructed 1D CuI-based coordination polymers (CPs) bearing unprecedented (CuI)_n chains and possessing remarkable photophysical properties. At room temperature, these CPs show efficient TADF, phosphorescence or dual emission in the deep-blue to red range with outstandingly short decay times of 0.4-2.0 μs and good quantum performance. Owing to great structural diversity, the CPs demonstrate a variety of emissive mechanisms, spanning from TADF of ¹(M + X)LCT type to ³CC and ³(M + X)LCT phosphorescence. Moreover, the designed compounds emit strong X-ray radioluminescence with the quantum efficiency of up to an impressive 55% relative to all-inorganic BGO scintillators. The presented findings push the boundaries in designing TADF and triplet emitters with very short decay times.

Halogen Bonding Channels for Magnetic Exchange in Cu(II) Complexes with 2,5-Di(methylthio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole

Copper(II) complexes with 2,5-bis(methylthio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (tda) formulated as [Cu(tda)_n X₂ ] (n=2, X=Cl^- , Br^- , C₂ N₃ ^- ; n= 1, X=C₂ N₃ ^- ) have been isolated and fully characterized. The crystal structures of all compounds have been determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). A study of the magnetic susceptibility in the range 1.77-300 K has shown that magnetic properties of the [Cu(tda)₂ Cl₂ ] and [Cu(tda)₂ Br₂ ] complexes match those of 1D chains of antiferromagnetically-coupled Cu²⁺ ions. The intrachain interaction J in [Cu(tda)₂ Cl₂ ] turns out to be ∼1.2 times weaker than in its bromide analogue. In its turn, [Cu(tda)₂ (C₂ N₃ )₂ ] exhibits J being an order of magnitude smaller and of the opposite ferromagnetic sign. Halogen bonding (HB) between adjacent complexes is much stronger than the H-bonds or π-π interactions between tda ligands according to the DFT calculations.

New Approach toward Dual-Emissive Organic-Inorganic Hybrids by Integrating Mn(II) and Cu(I) Emission Centers in Ionic Crystals

Inorganic-organic hybrid luminescent materials have received great attention for their potential applications in a wide range of clean/renewable energy-related areas, including photovoltaics and solid-state lighting. Herein, we present a unique and general "Mn + Cu" approach by blending two earth-abundant luminogenic metals, manganese and copper, within a single ionic structure to construct a remarkable family of low-cost and multifunctional hybrid materials featuring dual emission, as well as triboluminescence and second-harmonic generation response. The novel hybrid materials are made of diphosphine dioxide-chelated [Mn(O∧O)₃]²⁺ cations and various anionic [Cu_xI_y]^(y-x)- clusters, ensuring manifestation of dual phosphorescence streamed from octahedral Mn²⁺ ions (605-648 nm) and iodocuprate anions (480-728 nm). Noteworthily, the relative ratio of the emission bands, and hence a resulting emission chromaticity, can be tuned in a wide range through modification of cluster [Cu_xI_y]^(y-x)- modules. The structural diversity, enhanced robustness, and up to 100% luminescence quantum yield make the designed materials promising phosphors for lighting and sensing applications.

Controllable Synthesis and Luminescence Behavior of Tetrahedral Au@Cu4 and Au@Ag4 Clusters Supported by tris(2-Pyridyl)phosphine

We report herein a family of polynuclear complexes, [Au@Ag₄(Py₃P)₄]X₅ and [Au@Cu₄(Py₃P)₄]X₅ [X = NO₃, ClO₄, OTf, BF₄, SbF₆], containing unprecedented Au-centered Ag₄ and Cu₄ tetrahedral cores supported by tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine (Py₃P) ligands. The [Au@Ag₄]⁵⁺ clusters are synthesized via controlled substitution of the central Ag(I) ion in all-silver [Ag@Ag₄]⁵⁺ precursors by the reaction with Au(tht)Cl, while the [Au@Cu₄]⁵⁺ cluster is assembled through the treatment of a pre-organized [Au(Py₃P)₄]⁺ metallo-ligand with 4 equiv of a Cu(I) source. The structure of the Au@M₄ clusters has been experimentally and theoretically investigated to reveal very weak intermolecular Au-M metallophilic interactions. At ambient temperature, the designed compounds emit a modest turquoise-to-yellow luminescence with microsecond lifetimes. Based on the temperature-dependent photophysical experiments and DFT/TD-DFT computations, the emission observed has been assigned to an MLCT or LLCT type depending on composition of the cluster core.

Pyridylarsine-based Cu(I) complexes showing TADF mixed with fast phosphorescence: a speeding-up emission rate using arsine ligands

Can arsine ligands be preferred over similar phosphines to design Cu(I)-based TADF materials? The present study reveals that arsines can indeed be superior to reach shorter decay times of Cu(I) emitters. This has been exemplified on a series of bis(2-pyridyl)phenylarsine-based complexes [Cu₂(Py₂AsPh)₂X₂] (X = Cl, Br, and I), the emission decay times of which are significantly shorter (2-9 μs at 300 K) than those of their phosphine analogs [Cu₂(Py₂PPh)₂X₂] (5-33 μs). This effect is caused by two factors: (i) large ΔE(S₁-T₁) gaps of the arsine complexes (1100-1345 cm^-1), thereby phosphorescence is admixed with TADF at 300 K, thus reducing the total emission decay time compared to the TADF-only process by 5-28%; (ii) higher SOC strength of arsenic (ζ_l = 1202 cm^-1) against phosphorus (ζ_l = 230 cm^-1) makes the k_r(T₁ → S₀) rate of the Cu(I)-arsine complexes by 1.3 to 4.2 times faster than that of their phosphine analogs. It is also noteworthy that the TADF/phosphorescence ratio for [Cu₂(Py₂AsPh)₂X₂] at 300 K is halogen-regulated and varies in the order: Cl (1 : 1) < Br (3 : 1) ≈ I (3.5 : 1). These findings provide a new insight into the future design of dual-mode (TADF + phosphorescence) emissive materials with reduced lifetimes.

Coordination-induced emission enhancement in copper(I) iodide coordination polymers supported by 2-(alkylsulfanyl)pyrimidines

First examples of copper(i) complexes with 2-(alkylsulfanyl)pyrimidine ligands have been synthesized. Reactions of copper(i) iodide with 2-(methylsulfanyl)pyrimidine (L1) in various metal-to-ligand molar ratios in MeCN afford a ladder-type coordination polymer [Cu2L1I2]n with polymeric chains built from double-stranded (Cu2I2)n ribbons supported on both sides by μ2-N,S-L1 molecules. Although the second ligand, 2-(ethylsulfanyl)pyrimidine (L2), differs from L1 only by a methylene group, its reactions with copper(i) iodide in MeCN yield not only a congenerous coordination polymer, [Cu2L2I2]n, but also [CuL2I]n, in which a similar (Cu2I2)n ribbon is decorated by N-monodentate L2 molecules. Absorption spectra of all compounds represent an interplay of metal + iodine-to-ligand charge transfer (XMLCT) and ligand-centered (LC) and cluster-centered (CC) transitions, while the emission occurs from the excited states of XMLCT nature. The luminescence of [Cu2L1I2]n and [Cu2L2I2]n is blue-shifted and greatly enhanced in comparison with that of [CuL2I]n (quantum yields: 89% and 68% for [Cu2L1I2]n and [Cu2L2I2]nvs. 23% for [CuL2I]n at 77 K), which can be associated with a more rigid μ2-N,S coordination of 2-(alkylsulfanyl)pyrimidine ligands in [Cu2L1I2]n and [Cu2L2I2]n leading to a less distorted T1 state.

Beyond Classical Coordination Chemistry: The First Case of a Triply Bridging Phosphine Ligand

The first example of a triply bridging (μ₃ -P) phosphine ligand has been discovered in the crown-shaped [Cu₃ (μ₂ -Hal)₃ L] (Hal=Cl, Br, or I) complexes supported by tris[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]phosphine (L). Theoretical analysis completely confirms the observed μ₃ -P-bridging pattern, revealing the interaction of the same lone pair of phosphorus with three valence 4s-orbitals of Cu atoms. The presented complexes exhibit outstanding blue phosphorescence (λ_em =442-465 nm) with the quantum efficiency reaching 100 %. The complex [Cu₃ (μ₂ -I)₃ L] also exhibits remarkable thermo- and mechanochromic luminescence resulting in a sharp change in the emission colour upon external stimuli. These findings essentially contribute to coordination chemistry of the pnictine ligands.

Photo- and triboluminescent robust 1D polymers made of Mn(ii) halides and meta-carborane based bis(phosphine oxide)

The 1D CPs of [Mn(L)X₂]_n type (X = Cl, Br, I), designed on 1,7-bis(diphenylphosphinyl)-m-carborane (L), show bright phosphorescence and triboluminescence, as well as exhibit thermo- and solvatochromic luminescence.

A family of Mn(ii) complexes exhibiting strong photo- and triboluminescence as well as polymorphic luminescence

New Mn(ii) complexes supported by diphosphine dioxides exhibit strong room-temperature phosphorescence as well as bright triboluminescence and polymorphic luminescence.

Dicopper(I) Paddle-Wheel Complexes with Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Adjusted by Ancillary Ligands

A suite of paddle-wheel shaped [Cu₂(PymPPh₂)₃(L_an)_n](PF₆)₂ complexes showing efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) has been synthesized. In these complexes, Cu(I) ions are P,N-bridged by three diphenyl(2-pyrimidyl)phosphine (PymPPh₂, L) ligands in a "head-to-tail" fashion, and one or both metals are also capped by the ancillary ligand (L_an = MeOH, Me₂CO, MeCN, PhCN). At ambient temperature, the solid complexes emit TADF with the quantum yield of up to 85% and the lifetimes of from 9.6 to 27 μs. The ancillary ligands, whose orbitals negligibly contribute to the radiative ¹(M + L + L_an)LCT state, remarkably adjust emission energies and ΔE(S₁-T₁) energy splitting magnitudes of the emitters obtained. Thus, depending on structure and/or number of the L_an molecules, the emission maxima vary from 500 to 563 nm, and the ΔE(S₁-T₁) gaps range 550-1100 cm^-1. Such tunable TADF characteristics coupled with the excellent solubility and air-stability make the complexes presented to be promising TADF materials.

New Cu(i) halide complexes showing TADF combined with room temperature phosphorescence: the balance tuned by halogens

A series of Cu(i) halide complexes derived from tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine (Py3P), [Cu2(Py3P)2X2] (X = Cl, Br, I), have been synthesized by a straightforward reaction in solution or through a mechanochemical route. At room temperature, the solid complexes exhibit bright dual-mode photoluminescence (λmax = 520-550 nm, τ = 14.5-20.0 μs, and ΦPL ≈ 53%), expressed by thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) combined with phosphorescence (PH), originating from 1(M + X)LCT and 3(M + X)LCT excited states, respectively. Remarkably, the balance of these radiative processes at 300 K is regulated by halogen atom nature, switching from TADF-assisted phosphorescence to PH-admixed TADF. The emission of [Cu2(Py3P)2Cl2] at 300 K is largely contributed by PH (73%) admixed with the TADF fraction (27%) and [Cu2(Py3P)2Br2] also emits mainly PH (65%) admixed with the larger TADF fraction (35%). Meanwhile, for [Cu2(Py3P)2I2], the TADF channel becomes dominating (61%) and PH contribution drops to 39%. The photophysical study corroborated by (TD)DFT computations has revealed that this effect arises mainly from the narrowing of the ΔE(S1 - T1) gap of the [Cu2(Py3P)2X2] complexes in the order Cl (1500 cm-1) > Br (1250 cm-1) > I (1000 cm-1) which facilitates the TADF pathway and suppresses PH in the same order.

A copper(i) bromide organic–inorganic zwitterionic coordination compound with a new type of core: structure, luminescence properties, and DFT calculations

A new organic–inorganic Cu(i) bromide complex based on protonated tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine, [(HPy)₃PCu₂Br₅], has been synthesized by a straightforward reaction in solution or by modification of the [Cu₂Br₂(Py₃P)₂] complex using hydrobromic acid.

Synthesis of dual emitting iodocuprates: can solvents switch the reaction outcome?

An unprecedented structure-directing effect of solvents in halocuprate self-assembly reactions was discovered. The compounds presented show remarkable dual luminescence, strongly changing the emission color upon varying temperature.

Alkyl-dependent self-assembly of the first red-emitting zwitterionic {Cu4I6} clusters from [alkyl-P(2-Py)3]+ salts and CuI: when size matters

A series of red-emissive {Cu4I6} clusters have been synthesized from alkyl-tris(2-pyridyl)phosphonium halides, [R-PPy3]Hal, and CuI. The size of the alkyl substituent (R) has a dramatic impact on the structure of the clusters assembled. [Me-PPy3]I salt reacts with CuI (1 : 2) to give the ionic [Cu(Me-PPy3)I]2Cu2I4 complex consisting of the scorpionate [Cu(N,N',N''-Me-PPy3)I]+ cation. Under similar conditions, [Pr-PPy3]I forms the zwitterionic [Cu4I6(Pr-TPP)2] complex containing an unusual stepwise [Cu4I6] cluster core. The use of [Bu-PPy3]I or [Bn-PPy3]I in this reaction leads to zwitterionic [Cu4I6(R-TPP)2] complexes, in which a linear-shaped [Cu4I6] module appears. Photophysical studies supported by TD-DFT computations have revealed that the title complexes in the solid state at 298 K exhibit a red photoluminescence (λemmax = 620-650 nm) with short lifetimes (0.04-2.10 μs), which are assigned to the thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) mixed with the cluster centered (3CC) phosphorescence. The compounds synthesized are the first red-emitting representatives of the recently discovered family of zwitterionic CuI-based complexes (so-called "AIO" structures).

Luminescence of the Mn2+ ion in non-Oh and Td coordination environments: the missing case of square pyramid

The luminescence of Mn²⁺ ion in a square-pyramidal (C_4v) ligand field was discovered. The molecular complexes with such coordination geometry exhibit red emission with enhanced Stokes shift and millisecond lifetimes.

Sky-blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) based on Ag(i) complexes: strong solvation-induced emission enhancement

Remarkable solvation-induced emission enhancement is discovered on a new Ag(i) complex showing sky-blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF).

Photoluminescence of Ag(i) complexes with a square-planar coordination geometry: the first observation

First examples of square-planar Ag(i) complexes showing MLCT emission are reported. They demonstrate an interesting thermochromic luminescence with the nano- and microsecond lifetime components.

Chemoselective mechanochemical route toward a bright TADF-emitting CuI-based coordination polymer

We report a simple and effective mechanochemical synthesis of a strongly-emissive TADF-material based on a CuI-coordination polymer that is unobtainable through traditional wet methods.

"Two-in-one" organic-inorganic hybrid MnII complexes exhibiting dual-emissive phosphorescence

Unprecedented organic-inorganic hybrid complexes, [Mn(L)3]MnHal4, containing both four- and hexacoordinated Mn2+ ions were synthesized by reacting MnCl2 or MnBr2 with bis(phosphine oxide) ligands (L) such as dppmO2, dppeO2, and 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphinyl)-1,3-butadiene (dppbO2). In the [Mn(L)3]2+ cation of the complexes, the Mn2+ ion features a [MnO6] octahedral coordination environment (Oh), and the [MnHal4]2- anion adopts a tetrahedral geometry (Td). These "two-in-one" complexes exhibit strong long-lived luminescence (τav = 12-15 ms at 300 K) having interesting thermochromic behavior attributed to the thermal equilibrium between two emission bands. So, in an emission spectrum of the typical complex [Mn(dppbO2)3]MnBr4, the intense "red" (ca. 620 nm) and weak "green" (ca. 520 nm) bands, originating from Mn2+ ions in Oh and Td environments, respectively, are observed. Cooling from 300 to 77 K simultaneously leads to (i) redshift of both bands by ca. 20 nm, (ii) increasing their intensities, and (iii) causing a substantial change of their integral intensity ratio from about 4 : 1 to 2 : 1. As a result, the colour of the emission changes from orange (CIE 0.56, 0.45) at 300 K to deep red (CIE 0.62, 0.39) at 77 K. This behavior was rationalized using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescent spectroscopy at various temperatures. The high photoluminescence quantum yields (up to 61% at 300 K) and fascinating dual-emissive phosphorescence coupled with high thermal stability and solubility suggest a high potential of this novel class of emissive Mn2+ complexes as promising emitters for OLED devices and potential stimuli-responsive materials.

Variable coordination of tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine and its oxide toward M(hfac)2: a metal-specifiable switching between the formation of mono- and bis-scorpionate complexes

An unexpected substitution of the anionic chelating ligands at the M^II centre by a neutral tripodal ligand has been observed in the reaction of Mn^II, Co^II, Ni^II and Cu^II hexafluoroacetylacetonates (hfac) with tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine (Py₃P) or its oxide (Py₃P = O). The nature of the metal ion in M(hfac)₂ and the M/L ratio determine the degree of substitution of hfac-anions (partial vs. total) and therefore, the structure of the complex formed (scorpionate vs. bis-scorpionate ones, respectively). Hence, the reaction of the ligands with [Cu(hfac)₂(H₂O)₂] in an equimolar ratio affords scorpionate [Cu(N,N',N''-Py₃P = X)(O,O'-hfac)(O-hfac)], wherein one hfac-ligand chelates metal, while the other hfac acts as an O-monodentate one. Using the two equivalents of Py₃P in this reaction leads to [Cu(N,N',N''-Py₃P)₂](hfac)₂, which contains a bis-scorpionate cation [Cu(Py₃P)₂]²⁺ and two noncoordinated hfac-anions. [Co(hfac)₂(H₂O)₂] and [Ni(hfac)₂(H₂O)₂], regardless of the M/L molar ratio, react with Py₃P = O to give cationic scorpionates [M(N,N',N''-Py₃P = O)(O,O'-hfac)(H₂O)](hfac), in which one hfac-anion is noncoordinated. In contrast, [Mn(hfac)₂(H₂O)₂], on interaction with Py₃P, results in the cationic complex [Mn(N,N',N''-Py₃P)₂][Mn(hfac)₃]₂ bearing a bis-scorpionate cation [Mn(Py₃P)₂]²⁺ and two [Mn(hfac)₃]₂^- counterions. The synthesized scorpionates have been characterized by X-ray diffractometry, cyclic voltammetry, SQUID magnetometry, FT-IR and UV-Vis techniques.

Bright green-to-yellow emitting Cu(i) complexes based on bis(2-pyridyl)phosphine oxides: synthesis, structure and effective thermally activated-delayed fluorescence

A series of highly emissive Cu(i) complexes exhibiting green-to-yellow TADF is presented.

A new family of clusters containing a silver-centered tetracapped [Ag@Ag4(μ3-P)4] tetrahedron, inscribed within a N12 icosahedron

A novel family of clusters, containing Ag-centered P-tetracapped tetrahedron, [Ag@Ag₄(μ₃-P)₄], inscribed within a N₁₂ icosahedron, is presented.

Aerobic addition of secondary phosphine oxides to vinyl sulfides: a shortcut to 1-hydroxy-2-(organosulfanyl)ethyl(diorganyl)phosphine oxides

Secondary phosphine oxides react with vinyl sulfides (both alkyl- and aryl-substituted sulfides) under aerobic and solvent-free conditions (80 °C, air, 7–30 h) to afford 1-hydroxy-2-(organosulfanyl)ethyl(diorganyl)phosphine oxides in 70–93% yields.