Copper(I)–Pyrazolate Complexes as Solid-State Phosphors: Deep-Blue Emission through a Remote Steric Effect

Abstract

We describe a novel manifestation of rigidochromic behavior in a series of tetranuclear Cu(I)-pyrazolate (Cu₄pz₄) macrocycles, with implications for solid-state luminescence at deep-blue wavelengths (<460 nm). The Cu₄pz₄ emissions are remarkably sensitive to structural effects far from the luminescent core: when 3,5-di-<i>tert</i>-butylpyrazoles are used as bridging ligands, adding a C4 substituent can induce a blue shift of more than 100 nm. X-ray crystal and computational analyses reveal that C4 units influence the conformational behavior of adjacent <i>tert</i>-butyl groups, with a subsequent impact on the global conformation of the Cu₄pz₄ complex. Emissions are mediated primarily through a cluster-centered triplet (³CC) state; compression of the Cu₄ cluster into a nearly close-packed geometry prevents the reorganization of its excited-state structure and preserves the ³CC energy at a high level. The remote steric effect may thus offer alternative strategies toward the design of phosphors with rigid excited-state geometries.