Reversible luminescent colour changes of mononuclear copper(i) complexes based on ligand exchange reactions by N-heteroaromatic vapours.

[CuCl(PPh3)2(4-Mepy)] (PPh3 = triphenylphosphine, 4-Mepy = 4-methylpyridine), a highly blue-luminescent mononuclear copper(i) complex, shows reversible emission colour change ranging from blue-green to red by vapour exposure to N-heteroaromatics, such as pyridine, pyrimidine, and 2-methylpyrazine. The remarkable colour changes occur due the ligand exchange reaction between the solid and gas. Such ligand exchange reactions would be applicable to various vapours with coordination ability and be useful for the sensing of such volatile organic compounds as well as a new convenient methodology for the preparation of luminescent complexes.