Enhanced solid-state phosphorescence of organoplatinum π-systems by ion-pairing assembly.

Anion binding and ion pairing of dipyrrolyldiketone Pt complexes as anion-responsive π-electronic molecules resulted in photophysical modulations, as observed in solid-state phosphorescence properties. Modifications to arylpyridine ligands in the Pt complexes significantly impacted the assembling behaviour and photophysical properties of anion-free and anion-binding (ion-pairing) forms. The Pt complexes, in the presence of guest anions and their countercations, formed various anion-binding modes and ion-pairing assembled structures depending on constituents and forms (solutions and crystals). The Pt complexes emitted strong phosphorescence in deoxygenated solutions but showed extremely weak phosphorescence in the solid state owing to self-association. In contrast, the solid-state ion-pairing assemblies with tetraalkylammonium cations exhibited enhanced phosphorescence owing to the formation of hydrogen-bonding 1D-chain Pt complexes dispersed by stacking with aliphatic cations. Theoretical studies revealed that the enhanced phosphorescence in the solid-state ion-pairing assembly was attributed to preventing the delocalisation of the electron wavefunction over Pt complexes.