Issue 22, 2019

Luminescence mechanochromism of copper iodide clusters: a rational investigation

Abstract

The development of luminescent mechanochromic materials depends mainly on the possibility to rationally design them with the desired properties. Molecular copper iodide clusters constitute an unprecedented family of compounds exhibiting great changes of their luminescence properties upon mechanical stress. From previous studies, the mechanochromic properties of cubane [Cu4I4L4] (L = organic ligand) clusters have been attributed to modifications of cuprophilic interactions induced by mechanical solicitation. In this study, we ascertain our hypothesis by choosing to study the luminescence mechanochromism of a [Cu4I4(PPh3)4] cluster which presents two crystalline polymorphs exhibiting strikingly different Cu–Cu bond lengths. As forecasted, only one of these two polymorphs exhibits mechanochromic properties. Structural and optical characterization methods are reported along with structural characterization under controlled pressure allowing a precise analysis of the structural changes occurring under mechanical stress. In addition to confirming our mechanism based on enhancement of cuprophilic interactions under pressure, this study demonstrates the possibility of prediction of mechanochromic properties in the family of copper iodide compounds that constitutes a step further toward the rational design of stimuli-responsive materials.

Graphical abstract: Luminescence mechanochromism of copper iodide clusters: a rational investigation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Mar 2019
Accepted
30 Apr 2019
First published
14 May 2019

Dalton Trans., 2019,48, 7899-7909

Luminescence mechanochromism of copper iodide clusters: a rational investigation

B. Huitorel, R. Utrera-Melero, F. Massuyeau, J. Mevelec, B. Baptiste, A. Polian, T. Gacoin, C. Martineau-Corcos and S. Perruchas, Dalton Trans., 2019, 48, 7899 DOI: 10.1039/C9DT01161G

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