Synthesis and structural characterization of a new vapochromic Pt(II) complex based on the 1-terpyridyl-2,3,4,5,6-pentaphenylbenzene (TPPPB) ligand

A novel terpyridine ligand containing a pentaphenylphenyl moiety linked to the terpyridyl core (1-terpyridyl-2,3,4,5,6-pentaphenyl-benzene (TPPPB)) has been synthesized in good yield and reacted with Pt(DMSO)2Cl2, to produce the cationic complex [Pt(TPPPB)Cl]Cl (5). 5 was studied structurally and spectroscopically. It is observed to be brightly luminescent in the solid state at room temperature and at 77 K, with no change in lambdaem(max). The complex exhibits reversible vapochromic behavior upon exposure to methylene chloride vapors, changing color from red (5-R) to green (5-G). The shift to higher energy in the emission maximum from 654 to 514 nm is the largest vapochromic shift (140 nm) yet reported. The [Pt(TPPPB)Cl]Cl complex exhibits high selectivity for certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including methylene chloride, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and acetonitrile. The crystal structures of both the green and red forms have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In both forms, the cationic Pt(II) complex possesses the anticipated square-planar coordination geometry that is distorted as a consequence of constraints from the terpyridyl binding. Analysis of the crystal packing of the green form (5-G) reveals the presence of non-interacting Pt...Pt separations with distances of 3.9092(9) and 4.5483(11) A and a zigzag arrangement between neighboring Pt(II) ions. The red form (5-R) contains complexes that are stacked with Pt...Pt separations of 3.2981(14) and 3.3427(14) A, indicative of metallophilic interaction. The change in the emitting state, as a consequence of the effect of the volatile organic compounds, results from a disruption of the d8-d8 metallophilic interactions in the red form and its metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MMLCT) excited state to a more-localized Pt(dpi)-to-tpy(pi*) metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited state in the green form.     

Röntgenographische und spektroskopische Untersuchungen an zwei Modifikationen von Dichloro-2,2′-dipyridyl-platin(II)

X-ray and Spectroscopic Studies on the two Modifications of Dichloro-2,2′-bipyridyl Platinum(II) Two modifications of PtCl₂(2,2′-bipyridyl) are investigated by X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic methods. The difference between both forms consists only in the packing of the planar complex units within the crystal. For the red coloured modification a columnar structure is derived from X-ray single crystal data, in which the nearest distance between planar complex units stacked above each other is 3.40 Å. The yellow form, however, does not form a columnar structure. It is built up from essentially isolated complex molecules without any feasible Pt–Pt-interaction (shortest Pt–Pt-distance: ca. 4.5 Å). Infrared and electronic spectra confirm the proposed structures. In the visible range only electronic transitions of the type 5d(Pt) → π*(bipyridyl) are observed which are also responsible for the different colours of the two modifications.     

Synthesis of the pivalamidate-bridged pentanuclear platinum(II,III) linear complexes with Pt...Pt interactions

Pentanuclear linear chain Pt(II,III) complexes [[Pt2(NH3)2X2((CH3)3CCONH)2(CH2COCH3)]2[PtX'4]].nCH3COCH3 (X = X' = Cl, n = 2 (1a), X = Cl, X' = Br, n = 1 (1b), X = Br, X' = Cl, n = 2 (1c), X = X' = Br, n = 1 (1d)) composed of a monomeric Pt(II) complex sandwiched by two amidate-bridged Pt dimers were synthesized from the reaction of the acetonyl dinuclear Pt(III) complexes having equatorial halide ligands [Pt2(NH3)2X2((CH3)3CCONH)2(CH2COCH3)]X' ' (X = Cl (2a), Br (2b), X' ' = NO3-, CH3C6H4SO3-, BF4-, PF6-, ClO4-), with K2[PtX'4] (X' = Cl, Br). The X-ray structures of 1a-1d show that the complexes have metal-metal bonded linear Pt5 structures, and the oxidation state of the metals is approximately Pt(III)-Pt(III)...Pt(II)...Pt(III)-Pt(III). The Pt...Pt interactions between the dimer units and the monomer are due to the induced Pt(II)-Pt(IV) polarization of the Pt(III) dimeric unit caused by the electron withdrawal of the equatorial halide ligands. The density functional theory calculation clearly shows that the Pt...Pt interactions between the dimers and the monomer are made by the electron transfer from the monomer to the dimers. The pentanuclear complexes have flexible Pt backbones with the Pt chain adopting either arch or sigmoid structures depending on the crystal packing.     

Synthesis and Crystallochromy of 1,4,7,10‐Tetraalkyltetracenes: Tuning of Solid‐State Optical Properties of Tetracenes by Alkyl Side‐Chain Length

We synthesized a series of 1,4,7,10‐tetraalkyltetracenes using a new 2,6‐naphthodiyne precursor and 2,5‐dialkylfurans as starting materials (alkyl=methyl to hexyl). Surprisingly, the solid‐state color of the tetracenes ranges through yellow, orange, and red. Both yellow and red solids are obtained for the butyl derivative. Optical properties in solution show no marked differences; however, those in the solid state show characteristics that vary with alkyl side‐chain length: methyl, propyl, and pentyl derivatives are orange; ethyl and butyl derivatives are yellow; and another butyl and hexyl derivative are red. X‐ray analyses reveal that the molecular structures are planar, semi‐chair, or chair forms; the chair form takes a herringbone‐like arrangement and the other forms take slipped parallel arrangements. The mechanism of crystallochromy is discussed in terms of molecular structure, crystal packing, and calculations that take account of exciton coupling.     

Highly Efficient Blue Photoexcitation of Europium in a Bimetallic Pt–Eu Complex

We report the preparation and characterization of dinuclear Pt–Ln complexes constructed from a square‐planar Pt^II core bearing an ethynyl–terpyridine residue connected to platinum by the ethynyl bond. Complexation of the neutral Eu(hfac)₃ (hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate) fragment to free terpyridine (terpy) gives a stable bimetallic complex (log β=6.7). In the crystal structure, the flat Pt?terpy core coordinates to Eu^III, which is nonacoordinated with the three nitrogen atoms of the terpy subunit and six oxygen atoms of the three hfac ligands. These atoms form a distorted monocapped square antiprism with a pseudo‐C₂ symmetry axis passing through the nitrogen atom of the central pyridine ring and the Eu atom. Spectroscopic measurements showed that irradiation with visible light of wavelength up to 460 nm in the ¹MLCT state of the Pt subunit resulted in a quantitative energy transfer to the Eu center, which strongly luminesces in the red with an overall luminescence quantum yield of 38 %. The energy‐transfer process is quantitative and not sensitive to oxygen, and the complexation of Eu to the Pt metallosynthon allows the recovery of the energy lost due to triplet‐oxygen quenching of the ³MLCT state observed in the uncomplexed Pt precursor.     

Role of π-acceptor effects in controlling the lability of novel monofunctional Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes: crystal structure of [Pt(tripyridinedimethane)Cl]Cl

The kinetics and mechanism of substitution reactions of novel monofunctional [Pt(tpdm)Cl](+) and [Pd(tpdm)Cl](+) complexes (where tpdm = tripyridinedimethane) and their aqua analogues with thiourea (tu), L-methionine (L-met), glutathione (GSH), and guanosine-5'-monophosphate (5'-GMP) were studied in 0.1 M NaClO(4) at pH = 2.5 (in the presence of 10 mM NaCl for reactions of the chlorido complexes). The reactivity of the investigated nucleophiles follows the order tu > l-met > GSH > 5'-GMP. The reported rate constants showed the higher reactivity of the Pd(II) complexes as well as the higher reactivity of the aqua complex than the corresponding chlorido complex. The negative values reported for the activation entropy as well as the activation volume confirmed an associative substitution mode. In addition, the molecular and crystal structure of [Pt(tpdm)Cl]Cl was determined by X-ray crystallography. The compound crystallizes in a monoclinic space group C2/c with two independent molecules of the complex and unit cell dimensions of a = 38.303(2) ?, b = 9.2555(5) ?, c = 27.586(2) ?, β = 133.573(1)°, and V = 7058.3(8) ?(3). The cationic complex [Pt(tpdm)Cl](+) exhibits square-planar coordination around the Pt(II) center. The lability of the [Pt(tpdm)Cl](+) complex is orders of magnitude lower than that of [Pt(terpyridine)Cl](+). Quantum chemical calculations were performed on the [Pt(tpdm)Cl](+) and [Pt(terpyridine)Cl](+) complexes and their reactions with thiourea. Theoretical computations for the corresponding Ni(II) complexes clearly demonstrated that π-back-bonding properties of the terpyridine chelate can account for acceleration of the nucleophilic substitution process as compared to the tpdm chelate, where introduction of two methylene groups prevents such an effective π-back bonding.     

Cyclometalated analogues of platinum terpyridine complexes: kinetic study of the strong sigma-donor cis and trans effects of carbon in the presence of a pi-acceptor ligand backbone

The substitution kinetics of the complexes [Pt(N-N-C)Cl] (N-N-CH = 6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine), [Pt(N-C-N)Cl] (N-CH-N = 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)benzene), and [Pt(N-N-N)Cl]Cl (N-N-N = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) with the nucleophiles Br(-), I(-), and, for the first two complexes, also thiourea, N,N-dimethylthiourea, and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylthiourea, have been studied in methanol as solvent. In case of the thioureas, the activation parameters DeltaH, DeltaS, and DeltaV were also determined from the temperature and pressure dependence of the reactions. Two crystal structures of [Pt(N-N-C)Cl] were determined (yellow and red polymorphs); the intense red color of the latter polymorph results from Pt-Pt interactions (Pt-Pt distance = 3.366 A). The data enable an analysis of the cis and trans effects and the influence of the strong sigma-donor carbon in the presence of an electron withdrawing pi-acceptor ligand backbone. The results indicate that the intrinsic reactivity is enhanced greatly by the labilizing effect of the trans carbon donor, but the nucleophilic discrimination is dramatically reduced due to the decrease in electrophilicity on the metal center. However, although the electron withdrawing pi-acceptor effect is partly counteracted by the sigma-donor effect, the complex still benefits from a higher nucleophilic discrimination than in the comparable Pt(II) trans carbon donor complexes, where no or fewer pi-acceptors are present. In the case of the cis carbon donor complex, the intrinsic reactivity remains unchanged, but the nucleophilic discrimination is reduced and leads to a reduced reactivity of the [Pt(N-N-C)Cl] complex in comparison to [Pt(N-N-N)Cl]Cl. On the basis of these results, a more detailed treatment of the nature of the cis effect is offered.     

Luminescent square-planar platinum(II) complexes with tridentate 3-bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindoline and monodentate N-heterocyclic ligands

A series of platinum(II) complexes with 1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindoline (BPI) derivatives were prepared by substitution of the coordinated Cl in the precursor complex Pt(BPI)Cl with a N-heterocyclic ligand such as pyridine, phthalazine or phenanthridine. These complexes display orange to red luminescence in fluid dichloromethane solutions and in the solid states at room temperature. The photophysical properties were tuned by introducing electron-withdrawing -NO(2) or electron-donating -NH(2) to the BPI ligand. The DFT computational studies suggest that the emission in the N-heterocyclic ligand substituted platinum(II) complexes originates mainly from the (3)[π→π*(BPI)] (3)IL triplet excited state, mixed with some (3)[dπ(Pt)→π*(BPI)] (3)MLCT character. Compared with the precursor Pt(BPI)Cl, both the low-energy absorption and the emission in the N-heterocyclic ligand substituted platinum(II) complexes exhibits a distinct blue-shift due to an obviously enhanced contribution from the (3)IL state and a reduced (3)MLCT character.     

Coordination chemistry of a terpyridine-tris(pyrazolyl) ditopic ligand

A new ditopic ligand, 4'-(4-(2,2,2-tris(1H-pyrazol-1-ido)ethoxymethyl)phenyl)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (pzt), has been prepared and its coordination chemistry studied. Metal ions with a preference for octahedral geometry form ML(2) complexes that are readily isolated and characterised, with the metal ion being bound to the terpyridine sites of both ligands. Other metal ions bind to the terpyridine site of just one ligand. In the case of silver(i), a dinuclear M(2)L(2) complex has been isolated in which each silver ion is coordinated to the terpyridine site of one ligand and to a single pyrazolyl donor group from the second ligand. Evidence for binding of metal ions to the tris(pyrazolyl) binding site was obtained by electrospray mass spectrometry and NMR techniques. The free ligand and three metal complexes, including the disilver complex, have been characterised by X-ray crystallographic techniques.     

New terpyridine-containing macrocycle for the assembly of dimeric Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes coupled by bridging hydroxide anions and pi-stacking interactions

The synthesis of the new terpyridine-containing macrocycle 2,5,8,11,14-pentaaza[15](6,6' ')cyclo(2,2':6',2' ')terpyridinophane (L) is reported. The ligand contains a pentaamine chain linking the 6,6' ' positions of a terpyridine unit. A potentiometric, (1)H NMR, UV-vis spectrophotometric and fluorescence emission study on the acid-base properties of L in aqueous solutions shows that the first four protonation steps occur on the polyamine chain, whereas the terpyridine nitrogens are involved in proton binding only at strongly acidic pH values. L can form both mono- and dinuclear Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) complexes in aqueous solution. The crystal structures of the Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes ([ZnLH](2)(micro-OH))(ClO(4))(5) (6) and ([CdLH](2)(micro-Br))(ClO(4))(5).4H(2)O (7) show that two mononuclear [MLH](3+) units are coupled by a bridging anion (OH(-) in 6 and Br(-) in 7) and pi-stacking interactions between the terpyridine moieties. A potentiometric and spectrophotometric study shows that in the case of Cu(II) and Zn(II) the dimeric assemblies are also formed in aqueous solution containing the ligand and the metals in a 1:1 molar ratio. Protonation of the complexes or the addition of a second metal ion leads to the disruption of the dimers due to the increased electrostatic repulsions between the two monomeric units.     

The first example of a Pt...Pt interaction in platinum(ii) complexes bearing bulky tri-tert-butyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine pendants via conformational control of the calix[4]arene moiety

An unprecedented short Pt...Pt contact between sterically bulky Pt((t)Bu(3)trpy) alkynyl moieties has been observed in the X-ray crystal structure of a dinuclear platinum(ii) complex bridged by a diethynylcalix[4]arene derivative; the complex in its crystalline state showed a red shift in the emission maxima at 298 K and 77 K relative to its powder form, which has been attributed to the presence of a metal-metal interaction in the crystal lattice.     

Photoluminescence switching of azobenzene-conjugated Pt(II) terpyridine complexes by trans-cis photoisomerization

Pt(II) complexes with a terpyridylazobenzene ligand (tpyAB) were newly synthesized, and their photoluminescence properties by trans-cis isomerization of the azo moiety were investigated. In these complexes, upon excitation with 366-nm light in polar solvents such as DMF, DMSO, and propylene carbonate, trans-to-cis isomerization with significant UV-vis spectral changes occurred almost completely. Cis-to-trans isomerization was observed both by irradiation with visible light and by heat. The reduction peaks due to the terpyridine and the azo group in the cyclic voltammograms of the Pt complexes were shifted in the positive direction by trans-to-cis isomerization. Emission spectral changes due to trans-cis isomerization were observed for both the tpyAB and the Pt complexes. The significant differences in the emission properties of the complex compared to tpyAB include the observation that both the excitation and emission wavelengths were shifted to lower energy, located in the visible region. Moreover, the change in emission intensity between the trans and cis forms was more significant upon excitation with UV light, because the trans form of the complexes showed absolutely no emission. Accordingly, the azobenzene-conjugated Pt(II) terpyridine complexes promise to be doubly photofunctional materials, showing complete off-on switching of emission linked to the trans-cis conformation change.     

Push-pull effects and emission from ternary complexes of platinum(II), substituted terpyridines, and the strong-field cyanide ion

As part of an effort to develop new lumaphors involving late transition metal ions, this report describes the synthesis and characterization of the first platinum(II) derivatives containing 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (trpy) and cyanide as co-ligands. According to existing models, including cyanide in the coordination sphere should raise the energies and minimize the influence of short-lived d-d excited states that otherwise compromise the excited-state lifetime. Both [Pt(trpy)(CN)]+ and the 4'-cyano-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine analogue [Pt(CN-T)(CN)]+ are emissive in dichloromethane solution, but the signals are weak. Part of the problem is that the d-pi* charge-transfer excited states also rise in energy, so that the emission actually originates from a (3)pi-pi* state with a relatively low radiative rate constant. However, another member of the series, the 4'-dimethylamino-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (dma-T) derivative [Pt(dma-T)(CN)]+, proves to be a very promising platform with an emission quantum yield of phi= 0.26 and an excited-state lifetime of tau = 22 micros in room-temperature, deoxygenated dichloromethane solution. In the dma-T complex the electron-rich dimethylamino substituent provides the basis for an emissive, but largely ligand-based, charge-transfer excited state. The orbital parentage is such that the photoluminescence persists in donating solvents like dimethylformamide, which ordinarily quenches d-pi* excited states in complexes of this type.     

A Platinum(II) Terpyridine Metallogel with an L‐Valine‐Modified Alkynyl Ligand: Interplay of Pt⋅⋅⋅Pt, π–π and Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions

A series of platinum(II) terpyridine complexes with L ‐valine‐modified alkynyl ligands has been synthesized. A complex with an unsubstituted terpyridine and one valine unit on the alkynyl is shown to be capable of gel formation, which is in sharp contrast to the gelation properties of the corresponding organic counterparts. Upon sol–gel transition, a drastic color change from yellow to red is observed, which is indicative of the involvement of Pt ??? Pt interactions. Through the concentration‐ and temperature‐dependent UV/Vis absorption, emission, circular dichroism, and ¹H NMR studies, the contribution of hydrogen bonding, Pt ??? Pt and π–π stacking interactions as driving forces for gelation have been established, and the importance of maintaining a delicate balance between different intermolecular forces has also been illustrated.     

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence of platinum(II) alkynyl terpyridine complex with peroxydisulfate as coreactant

A Pt(II) alkynyl terpyridine complex containing a carbazole moiety, [Pt((t)Bu(3)tpy)(C≡C-C(6)H(4)-4-carbazole-9)](+) ((t)Bu(3)tpy = 4,4',4'-tri-tert-butyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) 1, has been synthesized and characterized. The photophysical behavior has been studied, and the molecular structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The complex was found to exhibit intense electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) using peroxydisulfate (S(2)O(8)(2-)) as coreactant in acetonitrile/water (1-25%, v/v) mixture at both glassy carbon and gold electrodes, representing the first ECL example of the Pt(II) alkynyl family. The ECL was produced at potential corresponding to the first reduction wave (-0.90 V vs SCE), significantly shifted by ～0.65 V toward more positive potential compared with that of [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine). The ECL spectrum was found to be identical to the photoluminescence spectrum recorded in the same medium, indicating the formation of the same excited state of dπ(Pt) → π*((t)Bu(3)tpy) (3)MLCT mixed with π(C≡CR) → π*((t)Bu(3)tpy) (3)LLCT in both cases. The ECL mechanism was proposed involving the formation of the strongly oxidizing intermediate, SO(4)(?-), mainly generated during the catalytic reduction of S(2)O(8)(2-) by the electrogenerated 1(-). Chemiluminescence of 1/S(2)O(8)(2-) based on reduction with Al metal is also described.     

TiO2纳米颗粒对钌(II)三联吡啶配合物光损伤小牛胸腺DNA能力的影响

由于极短的激发态寿命, 钌(II)三联吡啶配合物对脱氧核糖核酸(DNA)的光损伤能力低下. 设计合成了三个钌(II)三联吡啶配合物[Ru(ttp)(tpy)]^2＋ (1), [Ru(ttp-COOH)(tpy)]^2＋ (2)和[Ru(ttp-COOH)(tpy-pyr)]^2＋ (3), 其中tpy为2,2':6',2"-三联吡啶, ttp为4′-(4-甲苯基)-2,2':6',2"-三联吡啶, ttp-COOH为4′-(4-羧基苯基)-2,2':6',2"-三联吡啶, tpy-pyr为4'-(1-芘基)-2,2':6',2"-三联吡啶. 比较了TiO₂纳米颗粒对它们光损伤小牛胸腺DNA的影响. 发现TiO₂纳米颗粒在空气和氩气条件下均可显著提高配合物3光损伤DNA的能力. TiO₂纳米颗粒和配合物3间的光诱导电子转移作用及其该作用生成的钌(III)物种可能是促进配合物3对DNA光损伤的主要原因.     

Room-temperature emission from platinum(II) complexes intercalated into zirconium phosphate-layered materials

The direct ion exchange of chloro(2,6-bis(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine)platinum(II) ([Pt(Me(2)bzimpy)Cl]+) and chloro(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine)platinum(II) ([Pt(tpy)Cl]+) complexes within a zirconium phosphate (ZrP) framework has been accomplished. The physical and spectroscopic properties of [Pt(Me(2)bzimpy)Cl]+ and [Pt(tpy)Cl]+ intercalated in ZrP were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray photoelectron, infrared, absorption, and luminescence spectroscopies. In contrast to unintercalated complexes in fluid solution, which do not emit at room temperature, both intercalated materials in the solid state and in colloidal suspensions exhibit intense emissions at room temperature. A [Pt(Me(2)bzimpy)Cl]+-exchanged ZrP colloidal methanol suspension gives rise to an emission at 612 nm that originates from a lowest (3)MMLCT[dsigma*(Pt) --> pi*(tpy)] state (MMLCT = metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer) characteristic of strong Pt...Pt interactions. A [Pt(tpy)Cl]+-exchanged ZrP colloidal aqueous suspension exhibits a strong emission band at 600 nm. The accumulated data demonstrate that at high concentrations, [Pt(Me(2)bzimpy)Cl]+ and [Pt(tpy)Cl]+ ions can serve as luminescent pillars inside the ZrP framework.     

Packing of ruthenium sensitizer molecules on mostly exposed faces of nanocrystalline TiO2: crystal structure of (NBu4+)2[Ru(H2tctterpy)(NCS)3]2−·0.5 DMSO

An X‐ray crystal study of the new ‘black dye’ sensitizer tri(thiocyanato)(4,4′,4″‐tricarboxy‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine)ruthenium(II) is reported. In the crystal, strong hydrogen bonds form chains of ruthenium complex dianions with the O···O distances of 2.48–2.54 Å. From the molecular geometry of the dianions, structural models of their close packing on the (101) and (001) crystal surfaces of TiO₂ (anatase) have been built. The maximum possible density of molecular packing noticeably exceeds the experimental value. The hydrogen bonding between the anions in monolayers, located on the TiO₂ surface, is discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and structural studies of some fluorescent group XII metal complexes with a terpyridine based ligand

Three 4′-(2-thienyl) substituted terpyridine (thioterpy) complexes of cadmium(II) and mercury(II) have been synthesized and fully characterized by spectroscopies. According to the crystallographic studies, the packing of these complexes was stabilized by several intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding, C-H?π and π?π. Finally, the florescent properties of the prepared complexes have been investigated.     

Blue phosphorescent Zn(II) and orange phosphorescent Pt(II) complexes of 4,4'-diphenyl-6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyrimidine

To investigate the different phosphorescent promoting effects of organic emitters by various metal centers, a new ligand, 4,4'-diphenyl-6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyrimidine (pmbp), and its Zn(II), Hg(II), and Pt(II) complexes, [Zn(pmbp)(2)](ClO(4))(2)(1), Pt(pmbp)Ph(2)(2), Zn(pmbp)Cl(2)(3), and Hg(pmbp)Cl(2)(4) were synthesized. Their structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The zinc complexes 1 and 3 exhibit blue luminescence in the solid state at ambient temperature, but the mercury complex 4 is not luminescent. At 77 K, both pmbp and complex have blue emissions in MeOH solutions, which were demonstrated to be phosphorescence by their long decay lifetime (micros). By comparing the luminescent properties of the free ligand and the complex, we concluded that the phosphorescence of originates from ligand centered pi --> pi* transitions. Complex 2 exhibits orange luminescence both in CH(2)Cl(2) solution at 77 K and in the solid state at ambient temperature, which was assigned to metal-to-ligand [d(M) --> pi*(pmbp)] charge transfer (MLCT). The different origin of luminescence is responsible for the different luminescent color of the Zn(II) and Pt(II) complexes.