Synthesis, characterization, and photophysical properties of a thiophene-functionalized bis(pyrazolyl) pyridine (BPP) tricarbonyl rhenium(i) complexElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Variable temperature NMR data and calculated 1H NMR chemical shift vs. dihedral angle plot. CCDC reference numbers 772116 (L) and 764347 (1). For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c0dt00357c

A bromo tricarbonyl rhenium( i ) complex with a thiophene-functionalized bis(pyrazolyl) pyridine ligand ( L ), ReBr( L )(CO) 3 ( 1 ), has been synthesized and characterized by variable temperature and COSY 2-D 1 H NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and photophysical methods. Complex 1 is highly luminescent in both solution and solid-state, consistent with phosphorescence from an emissive 3 MLCT excited state with an additional contribution from a LC 3 (π→π*) transition. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction structure of the title ligand is also reported. Strong visible phosphorescent emission is observed from the title complex in solution and solid state with lifetimes on the order of tens of microseconds and emission quantum yields of approximately 2%.