Temperature dependence of photophysical properties of a dinuclear C^N-cyclometalated Pt() complex with an intimate Pt-Pt contact. Zero-field splitting and sub-state decay rates of the lowest triplet

The temperature dependence (1.7 K < T < 100 K) of emission decay is reported for the first time for a type of di-nuclear Pt complex featuring a metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MMLCT) lowest energy transition that arises from a strong Pt-Pt interaction. The effect of local variation of the host/guest cage in a polymer matrix upon the phosphorescence decay time constants is characterized by the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts function. The temperature dependence of the average decay time constants is fit by a Boltzmann-type expression to obtain the average zero-field splittings and individual sublevel decay rates of the photoluminescent triplet excited state. A dinuclear Pt( ii ) complexes exhibits an unusually large zero field splitting in its metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer triplet excited state.