Syntheses, crystal structures and blue luminescence of Cu2X2(Ph3P)2[(−)-nicotine]2 (X = Br, I)

The reactions of equimolar amounts of CuX (X = Br, I), triphenylphosphane and (−)-nicotine yield intensively blue emitting substances. Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed an aggregation to dimeric Cu2X2(PPh3)2[(−)-nicotine]2. Contrary to the majority of analogue complexes of the type [Cu2X2(PPh3)2(s-py)2] (s-py = substituted pyridine), the nicotine complex does not show a considerable temperature dependence of the emission wavelength. In addition, the crystal structure of the intermediate [Cu2Br2(PPh3)2(MeCN)2] × 2MeCN is presented.

Graphical abstractThe reaction of equimolar amounts of CuX (X = Br, I), triphenylphosphane and (−)-nicotine yields the dimeric complexes Cu2X2(PPh3)2[(−)-nicotine]2 featuring intense blue luminescence upon photo-excitation in the solid state. Contrary to the majority of analogue complexes of the type [Cu2X2(PPh3)2(s-py)2] (s-py = substituted pyridine), the nicotine complexes do not show a considerable temperature dependence of the emission wavelength. In addition, the crystal structure of the intermediate [Cu2Br2(PPh3)2(MeCN)2] × 2MeCN is presented.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Dimeric complexes of the type Cu2X2(PPh3)2[(−)-nicotine]2 (X = Br, I) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. ► They feature intense blue luminescence upon photo-excitation in the solid state. ► Additionally, the crystal structure of the intermediate [Cu2Br2(PPh3)2(MeCN)2] × 2MeCN is presented.