{Tl[Au(C₆Cl₅)₂]}_n:  A Vapochromic Complex

The X-ray structure of {Tl[Au(C₆Cl₅)₂]}_n, 1, consists of 1-D linear polymer chains parallel to the crystallographic z axis. The crystal structure of 1 has channels that run parallel to these chains with interatom distances in the range 3.231−4.076 Å. There are holes in these channels with diameters as large as 10.471 Å, which can accommodate a variety of solvents. Complex 1 displays reversible vapochromic emission and absorption spectral behavior when the solid is exposed to a variety of organic vapors such as acetone, acetonitrile, triethylamine, acetylacetone, tetrahydrothiophene, 2-fluoropyridine, tetrahydrofuran, and pyridine. Complex 1 is luminescent at room temperature and at 77 K in the solid state. UV excitation at 495 nm leads to an emission at 531 nm.