Reversible mechanochromic luminescence of [(C6F5Au)2(μ-1,4-diisocyanobenzene)]

Reversible mechanotronic luminescence of [(C(6)F(5)Au)(2)(mu-1,4-diisocyanobenzene)] is reported. Grinding of the complex induced a photoluminescent color change, which was restored by exposure to a solvent. This cycle was repeated 20 times with no color degradation in the emissions. Their optical properties, X-ray crystallographic analysis, IR, and XRD measurements strongly suggested that the change in the molecular arrangement is responsible for this mechanochromic property. Intermolecular aurophilic bondings presumably play a key role in the altered emission.