Synthesis, characterization, crystal structures and photophysical properties of copper(I) complexes containing 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (B-dppf) in doubly-bridged mode

Five copper(I) complexes having general formula [Cu2(μ-X)2(κ2-P,P-B-dppf)2] (X = Cl(1), Br(2), I(3), CN(4), and SCN(5)) were prepared starting with CuX and B-dppf in 1:1 molar ratio in DCM-MeOH (50:50 V/V) at room temperature. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR, 31P NMR and electronic spectral studies. Molecular structures for 1, 2 and 4 were determined crystallographically. Complexes 1, 2 and 4 exist as centrosymmetric dimers in which the two copper atoms are bonded to two bridging B-dppf ligands and two bridging (pseudo-)halide groups in a μ-η1 bonding mode to generate nearly planar Cu2(μ-η1-X)2 framework. Both bridging B-dppf ligands are arranged in antiperiplanar staggered conformation in 1 and 2 (mean value 56.40–56.76°), and twisted from the eclipsed conformation (mean value 78.19°) in 4. The Φ angle value in 4 is relatively larger as compared to 1 and 2. This seems to indicate that the molecular core [Cu2(μ-η1-X)2] in 4 is a sterically demanding system that forces the B-dppf ligand to adopt a relatively strained conformation in comparison to less strained system in 1 and 2. All the complexes exhibit moderately strong luminescence properties in the solution state at ambient temperature.