Cyclometalated Ir(III) Complex as a Metalloligand and a Selective Cu(II) Sensor: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a Heterometallic Tetranuclear Ir(III)/Cu(II) Complex.

A cyclometalated Ir(III) complex, [Ir(ppy)2(LH)] (2) [LH2 = 1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)benzene; ppyH = 2-phenylpyridine] was synthesized and structurally characterized. [Ir(ppy)2(LH)] contains free donor sites and functions as a metalloligand. Accordingly, it interacts with a Cu(II) salt to afford the heterometallic tetranuclear complex, [{Ir(ppy)2(L)}2{Cu2Cl2}] (3). In the latter, a Cu2Cl2 dimer bridges the two cyclometalated Ir(III) units, resulting in a IrIII-CuII-CuII-IrIII motif. 2 also functions as a selective and reversible sensor for Cu2+, as revealed by quenching of its emission and subsequent revival of the luminescence signal upon addition of EDTA.