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Improved Photostability of a Cu I Complex by Macrocyclization of the Phenanthroline Ligands
Author(s) -
Brandl Thomas,
Kerzig Christoph,
Le Pleux Loïc,
Prescimone Alessandro,
Wenger Oliver S.,
Mayor Marcel
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201904754
Subject(s) - diimine , chemistry , absorption (acoustics) , copper , photochemistry , ligand (biochemistry) , phenanthroline , combinatorial chemistry , inorganic chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , catalysis , biochemistry , receptor , composite material
The development of molecular materials for conversion of solar energy into electricity and fuels is one of the most active research areas, in which the light absorber plays a key role. While copper(I)‐bis(diimine) complexes [Cu I (L) 2 ] + are considered as potent substitutes for [Ru II (bpy) 3 ] 2+ , they exhibit limited structural integrity as ligand loss by substitution can occur. In this article, we present a new concept to stabilize copper bis(phenanthroline) complexes by macrocyclization of the ligands which are preorganized around the Cu I ion. Using oxidative Hay acetylene homocoupling conditions, several Cu I complexes with varying bridge length were prepared and analyzed. Absorption and emission properties are assessed; rewardingly, the envisioned approach was successful since the flexible 1,4‐butadiyl‐bridged complex does show enhanced MLCT absorption and emission, as well as improved photostability upon irradiation with a blue LED compared to a reference complex.