Synthesis, Structural, and Photoluminescence Studies of Gd (terpy)(H2O)(NO3) 2M (CN) 2 (M= Au, Ag) Complexes: Multiple Emissions from Intra-and Intermolecular Excimers and Exciplexes

The highly luminescent bimetallic cyanide materials, Gd (terpy)(H2O)(NO3) 2M (CN) 2 (M= Au, Ag; GdAu and GdAg, respectively) are quick and easy to synthesize under ambient conditions. A characteristic feature exhibited by both solid-state compounds is an intense red emission when excited with UV light. Additionally, GdAu exhibits a broad-band green emission upon excitation in the near UV region. A combination of structural and spectroscopic results for the compounds helps explain the underlying conditions responsible for their unique properties. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments expose their structural features, including the fact that they are isostructural. Crystallographic data for the representative GdAu compound (Mo Kα, λ= 0.71073 Å, T= 290 K): triclinic, space group P 1̅, a= 7.5707 (3) Å, b= 10.0671 (4) Å, c= 15.1260 (4) Å, α= 74.923 (3)°, β= 78.151 (3)°