Study of the structures and photophysical properties of 1,3-diaza-5-phosphacyclohexanes using density functional theory and optical spectroscopy

The steric and electronic structures of 1,3-diaza-5-phoaphacyclohexane with the pyridyl substituent at the phosphorus atom and a series of model 1,3-diaza-5-phosphacyclohexanes (potential ligands for the synthesis of luminescent transition metal complexes) were studied using IR and UV spectroscopy combined with quantum chemical calculations. Relationships between the electronic structures, spectral characteristics, and donor—acceptor properties of the substituents were revealed. The relationships can further be used for the target synthesis of complexes with specified optical properties.