Matthew Kessler

The reaction of CuI and 3-nitropyridine (3PyNO2) produces CuI(3PyNO2). X-ray crystallography reveals both ladder [Cu2I2(3PyNO2)2]? and cubane [CuI(3PyNO2)]4 phases. This compound evidences a deep red color to the eye but does not show emission under ultraviolet light irradiation. Computational studies were utilized to investigate band gap behavior to explain the unusual non-emissive nature of this material. The weakly coordinating 3PyNO2 ligand is readily displaced by other pyridine and sulfide ligands (L), converting the non-emissive CuI (3PyNO2) compound to emissive products CuILn under UV. The ready conversion from a nonemissive copper(I) nucleophile adduct to an emissive one with spontaneous replacement of the nucleophile offers proof-of-concept for chemical sensing applications. Results for other nitroaromatic and cyanoaromatic complexes of CuI are also presented.

Matthew Kessler is a first-year M.S. student in the Chemistry Department at William & Mary. His research interests include chemical sensors and charge transfer complexes. His current work focuses on organometallic copper complexes and lanthanide chemistry.