Mononuclear copper(I) complexes bearing 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane and functional 6-Cyano-2,2′-bipyridine ligands

Abstract Two new monometallic copper(I) complexes bearing 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp) and functional 6-cyano-2,2′-bipyridine ligands, [Cu(dppp)(cbpy)](ClO4) (1) and [Cu(dppp)(mcbpy)](ClO4) (2) (cbpy = 6-cyano-2,2′-bipyridine; mcbpy = 4,4′-dimethyl-6-cyano-2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized. It is revealed that complexes 1 and 2 display a distorted N2P2 tetrahedral configuration formed by two N donors of the 2,2ʹ-bipyridyl ring and two P atoms of dppp. It is shown that the introduction of two electron-donating methyl groups at the 4- and 4′-positions of 6-cyano-2,2′-bipyridine is favorable for improving luminescence properties of Cu(I) complexes.