A solid state highly emissive Cu(<scp>i</scp>) metallacycle: promotion of cuprophilic interactions at the excited states

Abstract

The straightforward synthesis of a new Cu(i) metal-rich small metallacycle is presented. This compound is luminescent in the solid state with an emission quantum yield of 72% at room temperature and displays a pronounced reversible red-shift of its emission spectra upon cooling. Quantum chemical calculations reveal that these properties are governed by important geometrical relaxations that imply the formation of cuprophilic interactions at the excited states.