2019 journal article

Understanding the Effects of Coordination and Self-Assembly on an Emissive Phenothiazine

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 141(8), 3717–3722.

MeSH headings : Coordination Complexes / chemical synthesis; Coordination Complexes / chemistry; Luminescence; Luminescent Agents / chemical synthesis; Luminescent Agents / chemistry; Molecular Structure; Phenothiazines / chemistry; Platinum / chemistry; Quantum Theory
TL;DR: The self-assembly of a highly emissive platinum(II)-based metallacage is reported, which results in a 10-fold increase in quantum yield and a twist in the chromophore upon coordination of platinum or methylation on the pyridyl group, leading to intersystem crossing to a triplet state. (via Semantic Scholar)
Source: ORCID
Added: January 18, 2022

The local environment surrounding luminophores can significantly influence their photophysical properties. Herein, we report the self-assembly of a highly emissive platinum(II)-based metallacage. In order to accommodate the connectivity of the platinum(II) building block used in the self-assembly process, the luminophore-containing building block adopts a highly twisted geometry relative to its free form, leading to the emergence of an emissive transition with a radiative rate constant an order of magnitude higher than that of the free luminophore. This increased rate constant is the primary driver for the 10-fold increase in quantum yield from 4.2% to 40%. Model complexes with platinum or methyl groups bound to the nitrogen were synthesized. These complexes had lower quantum yields (10% and non-emissive, respectively) due mainly to decreases in radiative rate constants. Computational studies were conducted and indicated that the excited state of the ensembles, as well as the model complexes, is a result of charge transfer to the pyridyl groups, in contrast to the free luminophore, which involves the diphenyl sulfone moiety. The differences in quantum yields can be explained by a twist in the chromophore upon coordination of platinum or methylation on the pyridyl group, leading to intersystem crossing to a triplet state. This state then becomes more emissive with the addition of platinum, which increases the radiative rate constant via the heavy atom effect. The formation of a metallacage also decreases the non-radiative rate constant by inhibiting the intramolecular motions of the incorporated luminophore.