👤 Konstantin V. Luzyanin

A series of ESIPT-capable Ir^III-(acyclic diaminocarbene species) (ESIPT = Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer) exhibiting strong photoluminescence properties is described. The emission profile is strongly influenced by the nature of the azaheterocyclic fragment in the diaminocarbene ligand: pyrazine-derived species display phosphorescence bands red-shifted by approximately 100 nm compared to their pyridine analogues. This redshift is attributed to the luminescence of tautomerized species formed via an ESIPT process, wherein the iridium center enhances the basicity of the pyrazine ring, facilitating proton transfer from the C_carbene-NH groups. This interpretation is supported by the solvatochromic emission behavior of complexes prepared and corroborated by density functional theory calculations. Prepared Ir^III-(acyclic diaminocarbene species) complexes represent the first example of metal-organic luminophores in which the ESIPT mechanism involves direct participation of the metal center, resulting in orange emission. Show less

A new application for bis(cyclometalated) iridium(III) species containing ancillary acyclic diaminocarbene ligands, viz. for sensing of mercury(II) ions, is disclosed. A family of bis(cyclometalated) iridium(III) species supported by both parent isocyanide and acyclic diaminocarbene ligands was prepared, and their electrochemical and photophysical properties were evaluated, revealing efficient blue-green phosphorescence in solution with quantum yields of up to 55%. We uncovered that the photophysical properties of these complexes are dramatically altered by the presence of metal ions and that the complex [Ir(ppy)₂(CN){C(NH₂)(NHC₆H₄-4-X)}] with an ADC ligand reacts selectively with Hg²⁺ ions, enabling its use for sensing of mercury(II) ions in solution. The limit of detection was as low as 2.63 × 10^-7 M, and additional mechanistic studies indicated the formation of an unusual dinuclear iridium(III) cyclometalated intermediate, bridged by a mercury dicyano fragment as a driving force of mercury sensing. Show less