Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of T‐Shaped Coinage‐Metal Complexes
George Kleinhans, Alan Kwun‐Wa Chan, Ming‐Yi Leung, David C. Liles, Manuel A. Fernandes, Vivian Wing‐Wah Yam, Israel Fernández, Daniela I. Bezuidenhout
Abstract
Abstract The photophysical properties of a series of T‐shaped coinage d 10 metal complexes, supported by a bis(mesoionic carbene)carbazolide (CNC) pincer ligand, are explored. The series includes a rare new example of a tridentate T‐shaped Ag I complex. Post‐complexation modification of the Au I complex provides access to a linear cationic Au I complex following ligand alkylation, or the first example of a cationic square planar Au III −F complex from electrophilic attack on the metal centre. Emissions ranging from blue (Cu I ) to orange (Ag I ) are obtained, with variable contributions of thermally‐dependent fluorescence and phosphorescence to the observed photoluminescence. Green emissions are observed for all three gold complexes (neutral T‐shaped Au I , cationic linear Au I and square planar cationic Au III ). The higher quantum yield and longer decay lifetime of the linear gold(I) complex are indicative of increased phosphorescence contribution.