First examples of luminescent zinc(II)-bisquinoxalinato complexes: Synthesis, spectroscopic and theoretical studies

► Four new homoleptic zinc(II) quinoxalinato complexes synthesised and characterised. ► DFT calculations suggest ligand-centred character dominates HOMOs and LUMOs. ► Spectroscopic characterisation showed variations in absorption and emission wavelengths. ► Ligand-dominated transitions influenced by para-substituted phenyl units in coordinated ligands.