The UV-Vis absorption spectra of all the complexes in dilute DCM are shown in Figure . The high-energy bands ( < 350 nm) are ascribed to a π-π* transition of the carbazolide, diphenylamide, and/or the carbene ligands. The weaker, low-energy bands in the 350-500 nm range are assigned to the CT transitions from the electron-rich amide to the electron-accepting carbene. Among the family of seven complexes, Cu Mes MIC 3,5-CF3Ph Cz OMe has the strongest CT transition at 400 nm due to a combination of the strongly electron-donating Cz OMe and the most electron-withdrawing substituents on the MIC, which creates a strong change in dipole moment after photoexcitation. None of the DCM solutions of the complexes was emissive; however, the PL spectra of 10 wt% of the complexes (Figure ) doped in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) are emissive. The emission of Cu Mes MIC Cz and Cu Mes MIC 3,5-CF3Ph Cz OMe is broad and structureless at around 530 nm, presumably from a CT transition between the electron-rich 3,6-dimethoxycarbazolide and the electron-deficient Mes MIC 3,5-CF3Ph fragment, while the emission of Cu Mes MIC Naph Cz and Cu 3,5- MePh MIC Naph Cz is structured, indicating that their emissive excited states have LE character.