Switchable cycloplatinated ferrocenylamine derivatives of acridone, naphthalimide and anthraquinone

Acridone, naphthalimide and anthraquinone derivatives of the cycloplatinated ferrocenylamine {Pt[(η5-CpFe(σ,η5-C5H3CH2NMe2)](dmso)CC–} have been prepared and the X-ray structure for the anthraquinone derivative has been determined. Spectroelectrochemistry has been used to probe the ground and excited states of these molecules. Irrespective of whether the fluorophore is bound to the ethynylPt(II) link via a nodal nitrogen (acridone) or to the aromatic ring (naphthalimide and anthraquinone) fluorophore emission is quenched in the ground state and partially restored in the oxidised species. Low energy donor-acceptor charge-transfer bands of the oxidised compounds are characteristic.