Two air-stable Au(I) and Cu(I) complexes are synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction crystallography. [Au_2(PPh_3)_2(μ-4,4'-bpy)]- (ClO_4)_2 (1) (4,4'-bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) is monoclinic, space group P2_1 c, unit cell dimensions, a = 1.2255(4) nm, b = 0.9973(3)nm, c = 1. 8506(6) nm, β = 101.732(5)°, V = 2.2145(11) nm~3, Z = 4, final R indices R = 0.0430, wR = 0.0937. [Cu_2(PPh_3)_4(CH_3CN)_2(μ-4,4'-bpy)] (BF_4)_2 (2) is monoclinic, space group P2_1 c, unit cell dimensions, a = 1.3463(3) nm, b = 1.4681(3) nm, c = 2.0608(4) nm, β = 100.387(4)°, V = 4.0066(13) nm~3, Z = 2, final R indices R = 0.0450, wR = 0.1163. Each of the two dimeric complexes is linked by the bridging ligand 4, 4'-bpy to form a chain structure. The chain is ended by PPh_3 or CH_3CN ligands. The Au(I) is two-coordinate while Cu(I) is four-coordinate. Both complexes are photoluminescent. The emission of complex 1 is from a MLCT excited state, and that of complex 2 originates from metal- perturbed intraligand.

Key words: GOLD COMPLEX, COPPER COMPLEX, TRIPHENYLPHOSPHINE, BIPYRIDINE, CRYSTAL STRUCTURE