The intriguing effect of thiolates as co-ligands in platinum(II) complexes bearing a cyclometalated 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)benzene

Substitution of the chlorido ligand of the fascinating cyclometalated complex [Pt(5-mesityl-1,3-di(2-pyridyl)benzene)Cl] by thioacetate leads to the related thiolato complex [Pt(5-mesityl-1,3-di(2-pyridyl)benzene)(thioacetate)], which has been fully characterised. Its photophysical properties were determined in degassed dichloromethane solution, as blend in Poly(MethylMethAcrylate) (PMMA) thin films, and as powders, at room temperature. Both in solution and in thin films, an increase of the concentration of the complex leads to a red shift of the phosphorescence spectra and to a decrease of lifetime decays and quantum yield. It appears that tuning of emission spectra depends on the competition between monomeric and aggregate emissive states. No clear evidence of excimer formation has been detected. In powders, an aggregate emission spectrum is red-shifted at 602 nm, reaching a very low phosphorescence quantum yield of 1 %.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the substitution of the chlorido ligand in a cyclometalated complex with thioacetate, resulting in a thiolato complex. The photophysical properties of this complex were investigated in different states, revealing changes in phosphorescence spectra, lifetime decays, and quantum yield with increasing complex concentration. The tuning of emission spectra was found to depend on the competition between monomeric and aggregate emissive states.