Synthesis and properties of two new Cu(I) complexes based on 5,6-substituted imidazole-2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and triphenylphosphine

Two new Cu(I) complexes, Cu(NPIP)(PPh3)2 (1) and Cu(MPIP)(PPh3)2 (2), (NHPIP: 2-(4-nitrophenyl) imidazole-2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline; MHPIP: 2-(4-methylphenyl)imidazole-2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by element analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectra. TG experiments demonstrated that the complexes were stable up to ca 230°C indicating their high thermal stability. According to fluorescence spectra, the complexes exhibited yellow emission at 602 nm under excitation at 260 nm.