The photophysical properties of naphthalene bridged disilanes

Structural isomers of naphthalene-bridged disilanes were prepared via catalytic intramolecular dehydrocoupling of disilyl precursors using Wilkinson's catalyst. Interestingly, it was observed that interchanging the side groups on the silicon atoms altered the photophysical properties of the bridged disilanes. Herein, we report the first example of naphthalene bridged disilanes forming excimers in non-polar solvents. Cyclic voltammetry experiments and DFT calculations were performed to analyse the band gaps of the compounds and σ-π mixing in the bridged disilanes. The photophysical properties of different structural isomers of naphthalene bridged disilanes are distinct. The presence of the Si-Si bond is key to excimer formation in non-polar solvents.