Shedding light on an ultra-bright photoluminescent lamellar gold thiolate coordination polymer [Au(p-SPhCO₂Me)]_n

Abstract

The first structure elucidation of a lamellar gold thiolate coordination polymer is described. [Au(p-SPhCO2Me)]n is obtained from the simultaneous esterification of mercaptobenzoic acid and reduction of the Au(iii) precursor. Despite the presence of aurophilic interactions, the intense phosphorescence (QY ∼ 70%) originates from intra-ligand and metal-to-ligand transitions.