Luminescent chromium(0) and manganese(I) complexes.

In this Frontier article, recently discovered chromium(0) and manganese(I) complexes emitting from metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states are highlighted. Chelating isocyanide ligands give access to this new class of 3d 6 emitters with MLCT lifetimes in (or close to) the nanosecond regime in solution at room temperature. Although the so far achievable luminescence quantum yields in these open-shell complexes are yet comparatively low, the photophysical properties of the new chromium(0) and manganese(I) isocyanides are reminiscent of those of well-known ruthenium(II) polypyridines. Our findings provide insight into how undesired nonradiative MLCT deactivation in 3d 6 complexes can be counteracted, and they seem therefore relevant for the further development of new luminescent first-row transition metal complexes based on iron(II) and cobalt(III) in addition to chromium(0) and manganese(I).