BR2BodPR2: highly fluorescent alternatives to PPh3 and PhPCy2

Abstract

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.