Trinuclear gold chains and octanuclear copper gyrobifastigia stabilized using a fluorinated pyridyl ligand

Abstract

The fluorinated pyridyl ligand [6-(CF₃)-2-Py]^- with gold(I) affords trinuclear Au₃ assemblies that further organize into a supramolecular helical column through aurophilic interactions. Its chemistry with copper(I) is even more remarkable, leading to an unprecedented octanuclear copper-pyridyl cluster complex featuring a central Cu₈ core with an approximate gyrobifastigium geometry. Solid powders of compounds {(6-(CF₃)-2-Py)Au}₃ and {(6-(CF₃)-2-Py)Cu}₈ exhibit intense photoluminescence at room temperature, displaying green and yellow colors to the naked eye, respectively. The octanuclear copper complex is also an effective catalyst for azide–alkyne cycloaddition, producing triazoles. Detailed computational analyses confirm the preference for experimental geometries and provide insights into the observed luminescence.