Early-Late Heterometallic Complexes of Gold and Zirconium: Photoluminescence and Reactivity

OH functionalized triarylphosphines were used to assemble zirconocene-based metalloligands with phosphine donor sites in varying positions. These complexes were subsequently treated with different gold precursors to obtain early-late heterometallic compounds in which the metal atoms exhibit different intermetallic distances. All compounds were fully investigated by spectroscopic techniques, photoluminescence measurements and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Quantum chemical calculations were also performed. Some compounds show bright emission even at room temperature with quantum yields of up to 19% (excitation at 350 nm). Furthermore, the reactivity of dimethyl zirconocene derivatives towards gold complexes was investigated, revealing simultaneous ligand exchange and transmetallation reactions.