Switchable Fluorescence of a Mechanical Stimulus-Responsive Au-P-S Complex.

Area of Science:

• Coordination Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Photophysics

Background:

• Gold complexes are explored for their luminescent properties.
• Supramolecular interactions influence solid-state emission.

Purpose of the Study:

• Synthesize and characterize a novel tetranuclear gold-phosphorus-sulfur complex.
• Investigate the photophysical properties and stimuli-responsive behavior of the complex.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of the tetranuclear gold complex [(3-bdppmapy)2(AuHmna)2(AuCl)2].
• Photoluminescence spectroscopy to determine excitation/emission wavelengths, quantum yield, and lifetime.
• Investigating fluorescence response to mechanical grinding and solvent vapor exposure.

Main Results:

• The complex exhibits bright yellow fluorescence (542 nm) with a quantum yield of 5.3% and lifetime of 0.83 ns.
• Mechanical grinding caused a significant decrease in fluorescence intensity.
• Exposure to dichloromethane vapor successfully recovered the fluorescence.

Conclusions:

• The observed switchable fluorescence is attributed to reversible changes in the crystalline phase driven by intermolecular hydrogen bonds.
• The material demonstrates potential for applications in sensing or responsive materials.