First anionic bis(ethynylphenanthroline)gold(I) complex and neutral diethynylphenanthroline-digoid(I) complex have demonstrated an intense phosphorescence which is assignable to (3)pi-pi*(Cequivalent toC) emission even at room temperature. It is appropriate to highlight the role of gold(I) coordination which enables the spin-orbit coupling and facilitates the observation of triplet emissions.