Spectroscopic and Phosphorescent Modulation in Triphosphine-Supported PtAg₂ Heterotrinuclear Alkynyl Complexes

Abstract

A series of highly phosphorescent PtAg2 heterotrinuclear alkynyl complexes with bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylphosphine (dpmp) were prepared and characterized structurally. The solution phosphorescence with various emitting colors is systematically modulated by modifying substituents as well as π-conjugated systems in aromatic acetylides. The crystals, powders, or films exhibit reversible stimuli-responsive phosphorescence changes upon exposure to vapor of MeCN, pyridine, DMF, etc., resulting from perturbation of d(8)-d(10) metallophilic interaction in the excited states as a consequence of the formation/disruption of Ag-solvent bonds. Both experimental and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) studies demonstrate that d(8)-d(10) metallophilic interaction exerts a crucial role on phosphorescent characteristics due to the PtAg2 cluster-based (3)[d → p] state. This study affords a paradigm for phosphorescence modulation in d(8)-d(10) heteronuclear complexes.