The photophysical properties of six new luminescent tetrahedral Zn(II) complexes are presented that survey two electronic donor moieties (phenolate and carbazolate) and three electronic acceptors (pyridine, pyrimidine, and pyrazine). A unique ligand based on an o-terphenyl motif forms an eight-membered chelate, which enhances through-space charge-transfer (CT) interactions by limiting through-bond conjugation between the donor and acceptor. A single isomeric product was obtained in yields up to 90%. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures of Zn complexes incorporating either donor show complementary interligand π-π interactions. All of the Zn complexes display long-lived luminescence in the solid state consistent with emission involving the triplet state. The phenolate-based complexes show evidence of CT emission in the solid state only with the strongest (pyrazinyl) acceptor. In contrast, all carbazolate-based complexes show evidence of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) in the solid and solution state, with photoluminescent quantum yields of up to 39%. These ligands represent a new family of Zn coordination compounds demonstrating TADF/phosphorescent properties that expand upon and elucidate design principles in the pursuit of photoactive earth-abundant metal complexes.
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