Structural variations and spectroscopic properties of copper(I) complexes with bis(schiff base) ligands

Six copper(I) complexes {[Cu2(L1)(PPh3)2I2] · 2CH2Cl2}n (1), {[Cu2(L2)(PPh3)2]BF4}n (2), [Cu2(L3)(PPh3)4I2] · 2CH2Cl2 (3), [Cu2(L4)(PPh3)4I2] (4), [Cu2(L5)(PPh3)2I2] (5) and [Cu2(L6)(PPh3)2I2] (6) have been prepared by reactions of bis(schiff base) ligands: pyridine-4-carbaldehyde azine (L1), 1,2-bis(4′-pyridylmethyleneamino)ethane (L2), pyridine-3-carbaldehyde azine (L3), 1,2-bis(3′-pyridylmethyleneamino)ethane (L4), pyridine-2-carbaldehyde azine (L5), 1,2-bis(2′-pyridylmethyleneamino)ethane (L6) with PPh3 and copper(I) salt, respectively. Ligand L1 or L2 links (PPh3)2Cu2(μ-I)2 units to form an infinite coordination polymer chain. Ligand 3 or 4 acts as a monodentate ligand to coordinate two copper(I) atoms yielding a dimer. Ligand 5 or 6 chelates two copper(I) atoms using pyridyl nitrogen and imine nitrogen to form a dimer. Complexes 1–4 exhibit photoluminescence in the solid state at room temperature. The emission has been attributed to be intraligand π–π* transition mixed with MLCT characters.

Systematic experiments have been implemented using different pyridine-containing bis(schiff base) ligands to synthesize a series of mixed-ligand copper(I) complexes in examining the influence of ligands on the structures and spectroscopic properties of the complexes. The complexes show solid state photoluminescence at room temperature.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide