Photoinduced E to Z isomerization of tetraphenylethylene derivatives within organometallic supramolecular assemblies

Abstract Isolation of E -1,2-bis(4-bromophenyl)-1,2-diphenyl-ethylene from the E/Z isomer mixture obtained by a McMurry coupling reaction and this with imidazole followed N -alkylation n BuBr anion exchange yielded bisimidazolium tetraphenylethylene (TPE) derivative H 2 - 1 (PF 6 ) . The Ag O di-nuclear metallarectangle [Ag ( ](PF where two bis-NHC donors bridge silver atoms. Irradiation leads to isomerization di-NHC ligand formation Z in mononuclear complex [Ag( )]PF Demetallation NH 4 Cl/NH PF salt unique -TPE into its -isomer via metal formation/irradiation/demetallation cannot be achieved irradiation individual imidazolium salt. emissive properties TPE complexes have been investigated.