Copper and Gold Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene Complexes with Sub-Microsecond Photoemissions: Structure and Substituent Effects on Redox and Luminescent Properties

Copper and gold halide and pseudo-halide complexes stabilised by methyl-, ethyl- and adamantyl-substituted cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) ligands are mostly linear monomers in the solid state, without aurophilic AuAu interactions. (L-Et2)CuCl shows the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) in the series, 70%. The photoemissions of L-Me2 and L-Et2 copper halide complexes show S1S0 fluorescence on the ns time scale, in agreement with theory, as well as a long-lived emission. Monomeric (L-Me2)CuNCS is a white emitter, whereas dimeric [(L-Et2)Cu(-NCS)](2) shows intense yellow emission with a photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield of 49%. The reaction of (L-Ad)MCl (M=Cu or Au) with phenols ArOH (Ar=Ph, 2,6-F2C6H3, 2,6-Me2C6H3, 3,5-tBu(2)C(6)H(3), 2-tBu-5-MeC6H3, 2-pyridyl), thiophenol, or aromatic amines H2NAr (Ar=Ph, 3,5-(CF3)(2)C6H3, C6F5, 2-py) afforded the corresponding phenolato, thiophenolato and amido complexes. Although the emission wavelengths are only marginally affected by the ring substitution pattern, the PL intensities respond sensitively to the presence of substituents in the ortho or meta positions. In gold aryloxides, PL is controlled by steric factors, with strong luminescence in compounds with Au-O-C-C torsion angles <50 degrees. Calculations confirm the dependence of oscillator strength on the torsion angle, as well as the inter-ligand charge transfer nature of the emission. The HOMO/LUMO energy levels were estimated based on first reduction and oxidation potentials.