The First Luminescent Anionic Bis(ethynylphenanthroline)gold(I) Complex

First anionic bis(ethynylphenanthroline)gold(I) complex and neutral diethynylphenanthroline–digold(I) complex have demonstrated an intense phosphorescence which is assignable to 3(pi)–(pi)*(C(identical)C) emission even at room temperature. It is appropriate to highlight the role of gold(I) coordination which enables the spin–orbit coupling and facilitates the observation of triplet emissions.