Luminescent complexes on a scaffold of P2N2-ligands: design of materials for analytical and biomedical applications

A variety of gold(I) and copper(I) complexes based on heterocyclic phosphine platform has been obtained. Due to the presence of exocyclic chromophoric pyridyl groups in the ligands complexes demonstrate noticeable phosphorescence. Cyclic nature of the phosphine ligands is responsible for supramolecular host-behavior of the complexes. Unique structure of complexes on a scaffold of the cyclic PNNP ligands favors the stimuli-induced structural reorganizations followed by stimuli-responsive luminescence. This, in turn, makes the complexes versatile building blocks for bottom-up design of smart nanomaterials for analytical and biomedical applications.