Syntheses and photophysical studies of new classes of luminescent isocyano rhenium(I) diimine complexes

The rich excited state properties associated with the long-lived triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer excited state of rhenium(I) tricarbonyl diimine complexes have been investigated for many years. Through judicious design and functionalization of the ligands with various functional moieties, these complexes can be used for different applications. However, further modification of the physical and excited state properties with their functions being maintained are challenging. In view of this, we have designed several new classes of isocyano rhenium(I) diimine complexes with readily tunable structural features. In this review article, our recent work on the syntheses, characterizations and photophysical properties of these tunable rhenium(I) diimine luminophores are discussed.

► Design and synthesis of isocyano Re(I) diimine complexes as tunable luminophores. ► In situ IR spectroscopic study of photo-ligand substitution reactions. ► Photophysical properties and emission solvatochromism. ► Transient absorption spectroscopy of the Re(I) phenanthroline complexes.