Synthesis, photoluminescence and electrochemical properties of a series of carbazole-functionalized ligands and their silver(I) complexes

A series of carbazole-functionalized carboxylate ligands (N-carbazolylacetic acid (L1), 4-carbazol-9-yl-benzoic acid (L2), and 3-(4-carbazol-9-yl-phenyl)-acrylic acid (L3)) and their corresponding silver complexes were designed and synthesized and the structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffractions. The silver atoms in the complexes are in tetrahedral geometry coordinated with two oxygen from carboxylic and two phosphorous atoms from triphenylphosphine. The complexes exhibit excellent electrochemical characters in solution and strong photoluminescence in the solid state. The emission wavelengths of the compounds can be tuned (from ultraviolet to visible region) by introducing of the second coordinating ligand triphenylphosphine and by elongation of the conjugation moieties.

Graphical abstractA series of carbazole-functionalized carboxylate ligands and silver complexes were obtained. The emissions of their photoluminescence can be tuned by introducing of the second coordinating ligand and/or by elongation of the conjugation moieties.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide