Selective synthesis of new half-lantern benzoquinolate platinum complexes. DFT and photophysical studies on the platinum (II,II) derivative

The half-lantern compound [{Pt(bzq)(μ-C7H4NOS-κN,S)}2] (2) (bzq = benzo[h]quinoline, C7H4NOS = 2-mercaptobenzoxazolate) was prepared selectively by reaction of equimolar amounts of potassium 2-mercaptobenzoxazolate (KC7H4NOS, 1) and [Pt(bzq)(NCMe)2]ClO4. Complex 2 undergoes two-electron oxidation by reaction with halogens X2 (X2: Cl2, Br2 or I2) to give the corresponding dihalodiplatinum (III) complexes [{Pt(bzq)(μ-C7H4NOS-κN,S)X}2] (X = Cl 3, Br 4, I 5). The X-ray structures of 3–5 confirm the retention of the half-lantern structure and the shortening of the Pt–Pt distance (Pt–Pt = 2.6383 (3) Å 3, =2.6671 (9) Å 4, 2.6810 (5) Å 5) with respect to that in 2 (2. 9726 (8) Å) because of the Pt–Pt bond formation. The trend of increasing Pt–Pt distances is in accordance with the trans-influence of the axial ligand (Cl < Br < I). DFT calculations on complex 2 in CH2Cl2 indicate the lowest energy absorption band to be mainly due to singlet metal–metal-to-ligand charge transfer (1MMLCT) [dσ∗(Pt–Pt) → π∗(bzq)] really affected by the π⋯π contacts in the complex, with just a little ligand-to-ligand charge transfer/intraligand (L'LCT/IL) character. The triplet 3MMLCT excited state seems to be the responsible of the structureless red emission of 2 in the solid state and in solution at room temperature. The quantum yield (90%) of this red emission in toluene solution at room temperature is really high. This fact added to the neutral character and the thermal stability of 2 make it a potential compound to be incorporated as phosphorescent dopant in multi-layer OLEDs.

Graphical abstractThe half-lantern compound anti-[{Pt(bzq)(μ-C7H4NOS-κN,S)}2] (2) was selectively prepared and oxidized with halogens (X2) to give the diplatinum (III) complexes [{Pt(bzq)(μ-C7H4NOS-κN,S)X}2] (X = Cl 3, Br 4, I 5). Complex 2 exhibits intense luminescence at room temperature (Φ = 90%) which was interpreted with the help of TD-DFT calculations.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Half-lantern Pt2 (II, II) and (III, III) compounds have been selectively prepared. ► The Pt (III) compounds show shorter Pt–Pt distances (10%) than the Pt (II) ones. ► Only the Pt2 (II, II) compound is emissive in the solid state and solution. ► The Pt2 (II, II) is a really efficient 3MMLCT emitter at RT (Ф = 90% in toluene).