Enhanced luminescent properties of an open-shell (3,5-dichloro-4-pyridyl)bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical by coordination to gold.

A gold(I) complex containing an open-shell luminescent (3,5-dichloro-4-pyridyl)bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl (PyBTM) radical was prepared. The complex showed fluorescence centered mainly on the coordinated PyBTM ligand. The photophysical and photochemical properties were positively modulated upon coordination to Au(I); the photoluminescence quantum yield, fluorescence wavelength, and the stability in the photoexcited state all increased.