Gold (I) complexes in a chiral nematic liquid crystal phase are interesting in a case of organic molecular structure which enhances luminescence properties and show special characters in a phase transition [1, 2]. Strong luminescence can be provided from aurophilic interaction (Au-Au interaction) in the gold complexes structure, whereas gold complexes are also promoted their behaviour as liquid crystal [3, 4]. Enormous attention has been paid to development of intensive light-emitting materials in condensed phase because of the versatile utility in practical applications. Among such materials, gold (I) complexes have been recognized as one of the most promising candidates for condensed-phase light-emitting materials. My research has been focused on such luminous gold complexes and developed some sorts of gold complexes with liquid-crystalline (LC) property. For the gold complexes (I) in a chiral nematic liquid crystal phase, an intriguing photoluminescence phenomenon that significantly enhance emission intensity by regular molecular aggregation was found and that show selected reflection during visible-light region by tuning the helical pitch [5].
My goal of my research is to succeed in the synthesis of new liquid crystalline gold (I) complexes, elucidation of the intriguing photoluminescence mechanism and application of the gold (I) complexes to functional materials showing circular polarized emission or laser oscillation.