Reversible transformation between Cu(I)-thiophenolate coordination polymers displaying luminescence and electrical properties

One-dimensional [Cu6I3(TP)3(MeCN)2]n (1) coordination polymer (CP) has been prepared by direct reaction between CuI and thiophenol ligand (TP). Reversible conversion reaction between 1 and the homoleptic 1D-CP [Cu(TP)]n (2) is observed in acetonitrile upon controlling the CuI ratio. Interestingly, CPs 1 and 2 are multifunctional materials showing both luminescence and electrical properties. Photoluminescence measurements reveal that 1 and 2 are emissive in the blue and the red region, respectively. Additionally, both materials show electrical conductivity at room temperature (1.2 × 10-8 for 1 and 3.7 × 10-4 S cm-1 for 2) indicating a semiconductor behaviour. DFT calculations have been used to rationalise these observations.