BR2BodPR2: highly fluorescent alternatives to PPh3 and PhPCy2

The syntheses of highly fluorescent analogues of PPh3 and PhPCy2 based on the Bodipy chromophore are described. The ligands have been incorporated into two- to four-coordinate group 11 metal complexes. The synthesis, characterisation and photophysical properties of the novel ligands and their metal complexes are reported; many of these compounds have also been characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Incorporation of the phosphino group and complexation to the group 11 metal centre has little effect on the absorption and emission profiles; high molar extinction coefficients and fluorescence quantum yields were still obtained. In particular, incorporation of the dicyclohexylphosphino substituent significantly increases the quantum yields relative to the parent dyes.