Complexes of {Mo6I8} with nitrophenolates: Synthesis and luminescence

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/c5nj02246k

New bright-red luminescent nitrophenolate complexes (Bu₄N)₂[{Mo₆I₈}(OR)₆] (R = C₆H₄-p-(NO₂) (1), C₆H₃-2,4-(NO₂)₂ (2)) have been prepared from (Bu₄N)₂[{Mo₆I₈}I₆] and AgOR, characterized by X-ray analysis, UV-Vis and IR spectroscopies and ESI-mass spectrometry. Both complexes are stable in solutions, and show multiple quasi-reversible reduction waves at highly negative potentials in CV studies. Complex 2 shows a quasi reversible oxidation at E_1/2 = 1.41 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Both 1 and 2 are intensely coloured with very high molar absorption coefficients in the near-ultraviolet region, 143 380 and 151 050 l mol^-1 cm^-1 for 1 and 2, respectively. Similar to other [{Mo₆I₈}L₆]^2- clusters 1 and 2 upon UV photoexcitation display relatively narrow red emission.