Thermally induced transformation of a Cu4I4-based cluster to a Cu2I2-based cluster under mild conditions

Abstract

A reaction of 6,6′-bis((benzylthio)methyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (L) with CuI at room temperature led to one Cu₄I₄-based cluster, which could be thermally transformed to a Cu₂I₂-based one under mild conditions due to the formation of a Cu–S bond. Along with the structural transformation, remarkable changes in the color and luminescence have been triggered.