biostudies-literatureArras JDivision of ChemistryDivision of Computer and Network Systems12943-12957https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11256752biostudies-literatureUnknown63(28)Defined arrays of transition metal ions embedded in tailored polydentate ligand scaffolds allow for a systematic design of their physical properties. Such molecular strings of closed-shell transition metal centers are particularly interesting for Group 11 metal ions in the oxidation state +1 if they undergo metallophilic d¹⁰···d¹⁰ contact interactions since these clusters are oftentimes efficient photoluminescence (PL) emitters. Copper is particularly attractive as a sustainable earth-abundant coinage metal source and because of the ability of several Cu^I complexes to serve as powerful thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters in molecular/organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). Our combined synthetic, crystallographic, photophysical, and computational study describes a straight tetracuprous array possessing a centrally disconnected Cu^I₂···Cu^I₂ chain and a continuous helically bent Cu^I₄ complex. This molecular helix undergoes a facile rearrangement in diethyl ether solution, yielding an unprecedented nanosized Cu^I₁₀ cluster (2.9 × 2.0 nm) upon crystallization. All three clusters show either bright blue phosphorescence, TADF, or green/yellow multiband phosphorescence with quantum yields between 6.5 and 67%, which is persistent under hydrostatic pressure up to 30 kbar. Temperature-dependent PL investigations in combination with time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations and void space analyses of the crystal packings complement a comprehensive correlation between the molecular structures and photoluminescence properties.Inorganic chemistryTwisted and Disconnected Chains: Flexible Linear Tetracuprous Arrays and a Decanuclear Cu^I Cluster as Blue- and Green/Yellow-Light Emitters.PMC11256752CHE-2155153CHE-1800332CNS-1920024Bhuvanesh NStollenz MLebedkin SGozem SMcMillen CDArras JCalderon-Diaz AfalseTwisted and Disconnected Chains: Flexible Linear Tetracuprous Arrays and a Decanuclear Cu^I Cluster as Blue- and Green/Yellow-Light Emitters.Defined arrays of transition metal ions embedded in tailored polydentate ligand scaffolds allow for a systematic design of their physical properties. Such molecular strings of closed-shell transition metal centers are particularly interesting for Group 11 metal ions in the oxidation state +1 if they undergo metallophilic d¹⁰···d¹⁰ contact interactions since these clusters are oftentimes efficient photoluminescence (PL) emitters. Copper is particularly attractive as a sustainable earth-abundant coinage metal source and because of the ability of several Cu^I complexes to serve as powerful thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters in molecular/organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). Our combined synthetic, crystallographic, photophysical, and computational study describes a straight tetracuprous array possessing a centrally disconnected Cu^I₂···Cu^I₂ chain and a continuous helically bent Cu^I₄ complex. This molecular helix undergoes a facile rearrangement in diethyl ether solution, yielding an unprecedented nanosized Cu^I₁₀ cluster (2.9 × 2.0 nm) upon crystallization. All three clusters show either bright blue phosphorescence, TADF, or green/yellow multiband phosphorescence with quantum yields between 6.5 and 67%, which is persistent under hydrostatic pressure up to 30 kbar. Temperature-dependent PL investigations in combination with time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations and void space analyses of the crystal packings complement a comprehensive correlation between the molecular structures and photoluminescence properties.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jul2025-04-04T03:20:15.059Z2025-04-04T03:20:15.059ZS-EPMC112567523893584210.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c01646