Photoluminescent Copper (I) Coordination Complexes

Copper (I) lumiphores can be used as inexpensive and effective solid-state oxygen sensors. The compound [Cu(bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether)(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)] (BF₄) was successfully synthesized and further characterized by ³¹P NMR, solid-state photoluminescence, and cyclic voltammetry. In an effort to modify this oxygen sensing system we are examining the introduction of selenium into the bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether (POP) ligand and changing the diimine ligand to access dinuclear complexes such as 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp). Our efforts to date will be presented.