Intermolecular interactions and electronic properties in phosphino-(oligothiophene) palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes

A series of Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes containing diphenylphosphino-substituted oligothiophene ligands ranging from 1 to 3 thiophene rings in length have been prepared. Crystal structures of four of these complexes were determined via single X-ray crystal diffraction and the solid-state packing arrangements found to vary with both the metal and the thiophene-containing ligand. In some cases, pi-stacking between thiophene rings are found for the oligothiophene ligands. Solution and solid-state absorption spectra of these complexes are reported.