Luminescence, stability, and proton response of an open-shell (3,5-dichloro-4-pyridyl)bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical.

A luminescent open-shell organic radical with high chemical stability was synthesized. (3,5-Dichloro-4-pyridyl)bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical (PyBTM) was photoluminescent under various conditions. Fluorescence quantum yields of 0.03, 0.26, and 0.81 (the highest value reported for a stable organic radical) were obtained in chloroform, in poly(methyl methacrylate) film at room temperature, and in an EPA matrix (diethyl ether:isopentane:ethanol) at 77 K, respectively. The photostability of PyBTM is up to 115 times higher than that of the tris(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical, a previously reported luminescent radical. The pyridine moiety of PyBTM acts as a proton coordination site, thereby allowing for control of the electronic and optical properties of the radical by protonation and deprotonation.