The straightforward reaction of [Ir2(ppy)4(µ-Cl)2] with an excess of aliphatic amines yields luminescent iridium complexes of general formula [IrCl(ppy)2(amine)] [amine = n-octylamine (1), t-butylamine (2), piperidine (3)]. The higher sterical hindrance of the amine in complex 2 was the responsible of its equilibrium with the starting materials. The luminescence of 1 and 3 has been studied showing emission at 508 and 509 nm respectively. As the aliphatic amines can be considered models of biogenic amines, this luminescence has been used to explore the viability of this reaction in the detection of biogenic amines. The exposition to vapors of biogenic amines of a solution of [Ir2(ppy)4(µ-Cl)2] in CH2Cl2 or in different solid supports, showed that it was possible to detect the amines in a quick and easy way, with limits of detection value (in solution of methylene chloride) of 4.8 µM for cadaverine.
