Photostable Luminescent Triarylmethyl Radicals and Their Metal Complexes: Photofunctions Unique to Open-shell Electronic States

Stable organic radicals with unpaired electrons exhibit vivid physical characteristics such as magnetic and electron-conducting properties, while being assumed as non-emissive chemical species. This highlight review introduces the luminescence properties of radicals and radical-ligated metal complexes as emerging functions of open-shell molecular systems. Their unique photofunctions will expand the utility of radicals in molecular photonics. Stable organic radicals with unpaired electrons exhibit vivid physical characteristics such as magnetic and electron-conducting properties, while being assumed as non-emissive chemical species. This highlight review introduces the luminescence properties of radicals and radical-ligated metal complexes as emerging functions of open-shell molecular systems. Their unique photofunctions will expand the utility of radicals in molecular photonics.