Crystal structure and low-temperature emission of 2,9-dimethyl-1, 10-phenanthrolinebis(triphenylphosphinesulfide)copper(I)

The synthesis and crystal structure of a luminescent Cu(I) complex containing triphenylphosphine sulfide and the α-diimine 2,9-dimethyl-1, 10-phenanthroline (dmp) is described. The coordination geometry about the Cu(I) center is pseudo-tetrahedral. Interplanar interactions between phenyl groups on the phosphine sulfide ligands and the phenanthroline exist, but are significantly less than those previously reported for the Cu(I) triphenylphosphine analog. The complex displays emission from a single metal-centered charge-transfer state at 77K in a 4:1 ethanol/methanol (v/v) glass. This is in contrast to the triphenylphosphine complex, which exhibits dual luminescence from a charge-transfer and an intraligand state at 77K. Crystal data: orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a=9.4226(9) Å, b=15.757(1) Å, c=30.494(6) Å, V=4527.4(6) ų, and R=0.053 (1021 reflections).