A non-luminescent polymorph of [(cyclohexyl isocyanide)2Au]PF6 that becomes luminescent upon grinding or exposure to dichloromethane vapor.

The discovery of a third, non-luminescent crystalline polymorph of [(C6H11NC)2Au]PF6 is reported. Remarkably, crystals of this polymorph are sensitive to mechanical pressure or to exposure to dichloromethane vapor. In both cases, the conversion produces the yellow, green luminescent polymorph of [(C6H11NC)2Au]PF6 and not the colorless, blue luminescent polymorph.