PPh3H]2[SbCl5]: A Zero-Dimensional Hybrid Metal Halide with a Supramolecular Framework and Stable Dual-Band Emission

Abstract

Zero-dimensional (0D) organic–inorganic metal halides (OIMHs) have attracted tremendous attention due to their fascinating optoelectronic properties. Herein, we report an antimony(III)-based 0D OIMH of [PPh3H]2[SbCl5] comprising discrete [SbCl5]2– pyramids and protonated triphenylphosphine (PPh3H) cations with a low charge density. Abundant supramolecular interactions including C–H···Cl and rare P–H···Cl hydrogen bonds and C–H···Π and anion···Π interactions lead to a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular framework structure of [PPh3H]2[SbCl5]. Photophysical characterizations indicate that [PPh3H]2[SbCl5] has singlet/triplet dual-band emission. The intersystem crossing between the single and triplet states is tunable upon changing the temperature. Analyses of the Huang–Rhys factor (S), exciton activation energy (Ea), and electron–phonon coupling energy (Γop) verify that the soft lattice and strong electron–phonon coupling result in the broad emission of [PPh3H]2[SbCl5], while the excited-state reorganization of the [SbCl5]2– pyramid leads to a large Stokes shift. DFT calculations help provide a deep understanding on the optical property of [PPh3H]2[SbCl5]. The title compound could remain stable for more than 1 year without the obvious decay of emission, which may be related to the rigid 3D supramolecular framework.