New luminescent europium(III) chelates for DNA labeling

The new europium(III) chelate [2,2',2',2'-[[4'-(aminobiphenyl-4-yl)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine- 6,6'-diyl]bis(methylenenitrilo)]tetrakis(acetato)] europium(III) (ATBTA-Eu3+) and its 4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazinyl and succinimidyl derivatives (DTBTA and NHS-ATBTA, respectively) were synthesized and characterized. Both labeling complexes DTBTA-Eu3+ and NHS-ATBTA-Eu3+ are luminescent. Especially DTBTA-Eu3+ is strongly luminescent, with a luminescence quantum yield of 9.1%, molar extinction coefficient of 3.1 x 10(4) cm(-1) M(-1) (335 nm), and luminescence lifetime of 1.02 ms. The excitation and emission maximum wavelengths of DTBTA-Eu3+ are 335 and 616 nm, respectively. The complex is very stable in aqueous buffers, with a conditional formation constant log K(DTBTA-Eu) of 25.0 at pH 8, and can be conjugated to DNA and proteins. The chelates are also highly resistant to thermal decomposition, photodegradation, and ozone oxidation. These properties prove that DTBTA-Eu3+ is suitable as a luminescence label in DNA assays.     

A ratiometric luminescence probe for highly reactive oxygen species based on lanthanide complexes

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators in a variety of pathological events, but the oxidative stress owing to excessive generation of ROS is implicated in many human diseases. In this work, we designed and synthesized a novel dual-functional chelating ligand, [4'-(p-aminophenoxy)methylene-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine-6,6'-diyl]bis(methylenenitrilo)tetrakis(acetic acid) (AMTTA), that can strongly coordinate with both Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) in aqueous solutions for the recognition and time-gated luminescence detection of highly ROS (hROS), hydroxyl radical ((?)OH), and hypochlorite (ClO(-)). The complexes AMTTA-Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu and Tb) are almost nonluminescent because of the photoinduced electron transfer from the electron-rich aminophenyl group to the terpyridine-Ln(3+) moiety but can rapidly react with hROS to afford highly luminescent complexes (4'-hydroxymethyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine-6,6'-diyl)bis(methylenenitrilo)tetrakis(acetate)-Ln(3+) (HTTA-Ln(3+)). Interestingly, when the AMTTA-Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) mixture (AMTTA/Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) = 2/1/1) was reacted with hROS, the intensity ratio of its Tb(3+) emission at 540 nm to its Eu(3+) emission at 610 nm, I(540)/I(610), showed a ratiometric response toward hROS, and the dose-dependent increase of the ratio displayed a double-exponential correlation to the concentration of hROS. This unique luminescence response allowed the AMTTA-Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) mixture to be used as a ratiometric probe for the time-gated luminescence detection of hROS.     

Highly phosphorescent bis-cyclometalated iridium complexes: synthesis, photophysical characterization, and use in organic light emitting diodes.

The synthesis and photophysical study of a family of cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes are reported. The iridium complexes have two cyclometalated (C(**)N) ligands and a single monoanionic, bidentate ancillary ligand (LX), i.e., C(**)N2Ir(LX). The C(**)N ligands can be any of a wide variety of organometallic ligands. The LX ligands used for this study were all beta-diketonates, with the major emphasis placed on acetylacetonate (acac) complexes. The majority of the C(**)N2Ir(acac) complexes phosphoresce with high quantum efficiencies (solution quantum yields, 0.1-0.6), and microsecond lifetimes (e.g., 1-14 micros). The strongly allowed phosphorescence in these complexes is the result of significant spin-orbit coupling of the Ir center. The lowest energy (emissive) excited state in these C(**)N2Ir(acac) complexes is a mixture of (3)MLCT and (3)(pi-pi) states. By choosing the appropriate C(**)N ligand, C(**)N2Ir(acac) complexes can be prepared which emit in any color from green to red. Simple, systematic changes in the C(**)N ligands, which lead to bathochromic shifts of the free ligands, lead to similar bathochromic shifts in the Ir complexes of the same ligands, consistent with "C(**)N2Ir"-centered emission. Three of the C(**)N2Ir(acac) complexes were used as dopants for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The three Ir complexes, i.e., bis(2-phenylpyridinato-N,C2')iridium(acetylacetonate) [ppy2Ir(acac)], bis(2-phenyl benzothiozolato-N,C2')iridium(acetylacetonate) [bt2Ir(acac)], and bis(2-(2'-benzothienyl)pyridinato-N,C3')iridium(acetylacetonate) [btp2Ir(acac)], were doped into the emissive region of multilayer, vapor-deposited OLEDs. The ppy2Ir(acac)-, bt2Ir(acac)-, and btp2Ir(acac)-based OLEDs give green, yellow, and red electroluminescence, respectively, with very similar current-voltage characteristics. The OLEDs give high external quantum efficiencies, ranging from 6 to 12.3%, with the ppy2Ir(acac) giving the highest efficiency (12.3%, 38 lm/W, >50 Cd/A). The btp2Ir(acac)-based device gives saturated red emission with a quantum efficiency of 6.5% and a luminance efficiency of 2.2 lm/W. These C(**)N2Ir(acac)-doped OLEDs show some of the highest efficiencies reported for organic light emitting diodes. The high efficiencies result from efficient trapping and radiative relaxation of the singlet and triplet excitons formed in the electroluminescent process.     

Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of Cationic Ir（Ⅲ） Complexes of 2-Phenylquinoline Derivatives

Two cationic iridium(III) complexes, [(pqcm)2Ir(pybz)](PF6) (Ir1) and [(pqcm)2Ir(apybz)](PF6) (Ir2) (pqcmH=2-phenyl-quinoline-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, pybz=2-pyridyl-benzimidazole, apybz=1-allyl-2-pyridyl-benzimidazole), were readily synthesized from the reaction of IrIII-μ-chloro-bridged dimer [Ir(pqcm)2(Cl)]2 and corresponding ancillary ligands, and characterized by NMR and mass spectroscopies. The structure of Ir2 was also confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The photophysical properties of the two complexes were also investigated. Ir1 shows deep red emission peaked at around 652 nm with the phosphorescence quantum yield of ca. 0.29 and the emission lifetime of 233 ns, while Ir2 shows red emission peaked at around 615 nm with the phosphorescence quantum yield of ca. 0.13 and the emission lifetime of 430 ns. The active hydrogen on pybz ligand is believed to have a great influence on the photophysical properties of Ir1.     

Dipyridylketone as a versatile ligand precursor for new cationic heteroleptic cyclometalated iridium complexes

Three new bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes, of general formula [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)(2)(L)](+), are reported. The compounds contain a dipyridine-type ligand (L) derived from di-2-pyridylketone (dipyridin-2-ylmethanol, 2,2'-(hydrazonomethylene)dipyridine and 3-hydroxy-3,3-di(pyridine-2-yl)propanenitrile) and were synthesized through two different reaction pathways. The alternative synthetic pathway herein proposed, namely the direct reactions on the complex [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)(2)(2,2'-dipyridylketone)](+), overcame the inconveniences encountered with the standard reaction between the dimeric precursor [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)(2)(μ-Cl)](2) and the ancillary ligands (L). The photophysical characterization of the iridium complexes reveals that modifications on the ancillary ligand introduce large changes in the photophysical behaviour of the complexes. High emission quantum yield is associated with the presence of a saturated carbon between the two pyridyl moieties: [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)(2)(2,2'-dipyridylketone)](+) and [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)(2)(2,2'-(hydrazonomethylene)dipyridine)](+) are extremely low emissive, while [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)(2)(dipyridin-2-ylmethanol)](+) and [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)(2)(3-hydroxy-3,3-di(pyridine-2-yl)propanenitrile)](+) are good photoemitters. DFT and TD-DFT calculations confirmed the mixed LC/MLCT character of the excited states involved in the absorption and emission processes and highlighted the role of the π-conjugation between the two subunits of the ancillary ligand in determining the nature of the LUMO.     

Quinoline-based molecular clips for selective fluorescent detection of Zn2+

New selective Zn2+ fluorescent sensors, di(2-quinoline-carbaldehyde)-2,2'-bibenzoyl-hydrazone (QB1) and di(2-quinolinecarbaldehyde)-6,6'-dicarboxylic acid hydrazone-2,2'-bipyridine (QB2), have been designed and prepared. Both QB sensors exhibit an emission band centered at 405 nm (excitation at 350 nm) with low quantum yield. Zinc binding not only red-shifts the emission band to 500 nm, but also enhances the fluorescence intensity by an order of magnitude based on the deprotonization strategy via self-assembly. These probes are highly selective for Zn2+ over biologically relevant alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and the first row transition metals such as Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ in buffered aqueous DMSO solution.     

Design and synthesis of iridium bis(carbene) complexes for efficient blue electrophosphorescence

Five iridium bis(carbene) complexes, [Ir(pmi)(2)(pypz)] (1), [Ir(mpmi)(2)(pypz)] (2), [Ir(fpmi)(2)(pypz)] (3), [Ir(fpmi)(2)(pyim)] (4), and [Ir(fpmi)(2)(tfpypz)] (5) (pmi=1-phenyl-3-methylimdazolin-2-ylidene-C,C(2'); fpmi=1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-methylimdazolin-2-ylidene-C,C(2'); mpmi=1-(4-methyl-phenyl)-3-methylimdazolin-2-ylidene-C,C(2'); pypz=2-(1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridinato; pyim=2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridinato; and tfpypz=2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridinato), were synthesized and their structures were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. These complexes showed phosphorescent emission with the emission maxima between 453 and 490 nm. Various spectrophotometric measurements, cyclic voltammetric studies, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that, unlike most of the phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium complexes, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy and the emissive state of these iridium complexes are mainly controlled by the N,N'-heteroaromatic (N^N) ligand. Despite the fact that the LUMO levels of these complexes are mainly on the N^N ligands, the efficiencies of the electroluminescent (EL) devices are very high. For example, the EL devices using [Ir(mpmi)(2)(pypz)], [Ir(fpmi)(2)(pypz)], and [Ir(fpmi)(2)(tfpypz)] as the dopant emitters exhibited light- to deep-blue electrophosphorescence with external quantum efficiencies of 15.2, 14.1, and 7.6% and Commission Internationale d'énclairage (x,y) coordinates (CIE(x,y)) of (0.14, 0.27), (0.14, 0.18) and (0.14, 0.10), respectively.     

Novel dinuclear luminescent compounds based on iridium(III) cyclometalated chromophores and containing bridging ligands with ester-linked chelating sites

The syntheses and study of the spectroscopic, redox, and photophysical properties of a new set of species based on Ir(III) cyclometalated building blocks are reported. This set includes three dinuclear complexes, that is, the symmetric (with respect to the bridging ligand) diiridium species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L)Ir(ppy)(2)][PF(6)](2) (5; ppy = 2-phenylpyridine anion; L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L = bis[4-(6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4'-yl)phenyl]-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate), the asymmetric diiridium species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-L)Ir(ppy)(2)][PF(6)](2) (3; L-OC(O)-L = 4-([(6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4'-yl)benzoyloxy]phenyl)-6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine), and the mixed-metal Ir-Re species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-L)Re(CO)(3)Br][PF(6)] (4). Syntheses, characterization, and spectroscopic, photophysical, and redox properties of the model mononuclear compounds [Ir(ppy)(2)(L-OC(O)-L)][PF(6)] (2) and [Re(CO)(3)(L-COOH)Br] (6; L-COOH = 4'-(4-carboxyphenyl)-6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine) are also reported, together with the syntheses of the new bridging ligands L-OC(O)-L and L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L. The absorption spectra of all the complexes are dominated by intense spin-allowed ligand-centered (LC) bands and by moderately intense spin-allowed metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands. Spin-forbidden MLCT absorption bands are also visible as low-energy tails at around 470 nm for all the complexes. All the new species exhibit metal-based irreversible oxidation and bipyridine-based reversible reduction processes in the potential window investigated (between +1.80 and -1.70 V vs SCE). The redox behavior indicates that the metal-based orbitals are only weakly interacting in dinuclear systems, whereas the two chelating halves of the bridging ligands exhibit noticeable electronic interactions. All the complexes are luminescent both at 77 K and at room temperature, with emission originating from triplet MLCT states. The luminescence properties are temperature- and solvent-dependent, in accord with general theories: emission lifetimes and quantum yields increase on passing from acetonitrile to dichloromethane fluid solution and from room-temperature fluid solution to 77 K rigid matrix. In the dinuclear mixed-chromophore species 3 and 4, photoinduced energy transfer across the ester-linked bridging ligands seems to occur with low efficiency.     

Blue and near-UV phosphorescence from iridium complexes with cyclometalated pyrazolyl or N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Two approaches are reported to achieve efficient blue to near-UV emission from triscyclometalated iridium(III) materials related to the previously reported complex, fac-Ir(ppz)(3) (ppz = 1-phenylpyrazolyl-N,C(2)'). The first involves replacement of the phenyl group of the ppz ligand with a 9,9-dimethyl-2-fluorenyl group, i.e., fac-tris(1-[(9,9-dimethyl-2-fluorenyl)]pyrazolyl-N,C(2)')iridium(III), abbreviated as fac-Ir(flz)(3). Crystallographic analysis reveals that both fac-Ir(flz)(3) and fac-Ir(ppz)(3) have a similar coordination environment around the Ir center. The absorption and emission spectra of fac-Ir(flz)(3) are red shifted from those of fac-Ir(ppz)(3). The fac-Ir(flz)(3) complex gives blue photoluminescence (PL) with a high efficiency (lambda(max) = 480 nm, phi(PL) = 0.38) at room temperature. The lifetime and quantum efficiency were used to determine the radiative and nonradiative rates (1.0 x 10(4) and 2.0 x 10(4) s(-1), respectively). The second approach utilizes N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands to form triscyclometalated Ir complexes. Complexes with two different NHC ligands, i.e., iridium tris(1-phenyl-3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene-C,C(2)'), abbreviated as Ir(pmi)(3), and iridium tris(1-phenyl-3-methylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene-C,C(2)'), abbreviated as Ir(pmb)(3), were both isolated as facial and meridianal isomers. Comparison of the crystallographic structures of the fac- and mer-isomers of Ir(pmb)(3) with the corresponding Ir(ppz)(3) isomers indicates that the imidazolyl-carbene ligand has a stronger trans influence than pyrazolyl and, thus, imparts a greater ligand field strength. Both fac-Ir(pmi)(3) and fac-Ir(pmb)(3) complexes display strong metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer absorption transitions in the UV (lambda = 270-350 nm) and phosphoresce in the near-UV region (E(0)(-)(0) = 380 nm) at room temperature with phi(PL) values of 0.02 and 0.04, respectively. The radiative decay rates for fac-Ir(pmi)(3) and fac-Ir(pmb)(3) (5 x 10(4) s(-1) and 18 x 10(4) s(-1), respectively) are somewhat higher than that of fac-Ir(flz)(3), but the nonradiative rates are two orders of magnitude faster (i.e., (2-4) x 10(6) s(-1)).     

Synthesis, characteristics and photoluminescent properties of novel Ir-Eu heteronuclear complexes containing 2-carboxyl-pyrimidine as a bridging ligand

Two novel iridium(III) complexes, [Ir(dfppy)(2)(pmc)] and [Ir(ppy)(2)(pmc)] (dfppy = 2-(4',6'-difluoro-phenyl)pyridine, ppy = 1-phenyl-pyridine), were designed and synthesized using 2-carboxyl-pyrimidine (Hpmc) as an ancillary ligand. Single crystals were obtained and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The tetrametallic complexes {[(C^N)(2)Ir(μ-pmc)](3)EuCl(3)} (C^N = dfppy, ppy) were synthesized using the iridium(III) complexes as "ligands". Photophysical and theoretical studies indicate that [Ir(dfppy)(2)(pmc)] is more suitable for sensitizing the emission of Eu(III) ions than [Ir(ppy)(2)(pmc)].     

Dinuclear iridium(III) complexes consisting of back-to-back tpy-(ph)n-tpy bridging ligands (n = 0, 1, or 2) and terminal cyclometallating tridentate N-C-N ligands

Three dinuclear iridium(III) complexes consisting of a conjugated bis-tpy type bridging ligand and cyclometallating capping tridentate ligands of the 1,3-di-2-pyridylbenzene family have been prepared (tpy, 2,2',6',2' '-terpyridine). The two tpy units of the bridge are connected via their back-positions (4') either directly or with a p-phenylene or p-biphenylene spacer. The synthesis relies on the reaction between the dinuclear [Ir(dpb)Cl2]2 complex (dpb-H =1,3-dipyridyl-4,6-dimethylbenzene) and the corresponding bis-tpy ligand. Electrochemical measurements afford metal-centered oxidation and ligand-centered reduction potentials; from the oxidation steps, no evidence is obtained for a strong coupling between the two iridium(III) subunits of the dinuclear species. For all complexes, ground-state absorption data in the 380 nm to visible region show a trend which is consistent with the presence of charge-transfer (CT) transitions involving different degrees of electronic delocalization at the bridging ligands. (dpb)Ir(tpy-tpy)Ir(dpb)4+ exhibits an appreciable luminescence at room temperature (phi = 3.0 x 10(-3); tau = 3.3 ns), whereas no emission from the other binuclear complexes is detected. All binuclear complexes luminesce at 77 K, and a metal-to-ligand CT nature for (dpb)Ir(tpy-tpy)Ir(dpb)4+ is suggested, whereas a ligand-centered (LC) emission is proposed for (dpb)Ir(tpy-(ph)2-tpy)Ir(dpb)4+ on the basis of the comparison with the phosphorescence properties of the free bridging ligand, tpy-(ph)2-tpy. Transient absorbance experiments at room temperature afford the absorption spectra and lifetimes of the non-emissive excited states. For (dpb)Ir(tpy-ph-tpy)Ir(dpb)4+ and (dpb)Ir(tpy-(ph)2-tpy)Ir(dpb)4+, the spectra exhibit a broad profile peaking around 780 nm, quite intense in the case of (dpb)Ir(tpy-(ph)2-tpy)Ir(dpb)4+, and lifetimes of 160 and 440 ps, respectively.     

Cross-couplings in the elaboration of luminescent bis-terpyridyl iridium complexes: the effect of extended or inhibited conjugation on emission

The utility of Suzuki cross-coupling methodology for the in situ elaboration of bromo-functionalised bis-terpyridyl iridium(III) complexes has been explored. The complex [Ir(tpy)(tpy-phi-Br)]3+ [tpy-phi-Br = 4'-(4-bromophenyl)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine] undergoes palladium-catalysed cross-coupling with aryl boronic acids to yield biaryl-substituted complexes directly. The biphenyl and 4-cyanobiphenyl-substituted products display relatively intense, long-lived (tau > 100 mus) yellow emission in degassed aqueous solution at room temperature, assigned to a 3pi-pi* state. A 4-aminobiphenyl-substituted analogue displays an additional low energy absorbance band, attributed to an intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) excited state, and is scarcely emissive under the same conditions. The iridium(III) complex of 4'-mesityl-terpyridine is also reported. Its emission is much shorter-lived, with a spectral profile resembling that of unsubstituted [Ir(tpy)2]3+, confirming the need for the attainment of a roughly coplanar geometry for stabilisation of the 3pi-pi* excited state.     

Synthesis and characterization of phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium complexes

The preparation, photophysics, and solid state structures of octahedral organometallic Ir complexes with several different cyclometalated ligands are reported. IrCl3.nH2O cleanly cyclometalates a number of different compounds (i.e., 2-phenylpyridine, 2-(p-tolyl)pyridine, benzoquinoline, 2-phenylbenzothiazole, 2-(1-naphthyl)benzothiazole, and 2-phenylquinoline), forming the corresponding chloride-bridged dimers, CwedgeN2Ir(mu-Cl)2IrCwedgeN2 (CwedgeNis a cyclometalated ligand) in good yield. These chloride-bridged dimers react with acetyl acetone (acacH) and other bidentate, monoanionic ligands such as picolinic acid (picH) and N-methylsalicylimine (salH), to give monomeric CwedgeN2Ir(LX) complexes (LX = acac, pic, sal). The emission spectra of these complexes are largely governed by the nature of the cyclometalating ligand, leading to lambda(max) values from 510 to 606 nm for the complexes reported here. The strong spin-orbit coupling of iridium mixes the formally forbidden 3MLCT and 3pi-pi* transitions with the allowed 1MLCT, leading to a strong phosphorescence with good quantum efficiencies (0.1-0.4) and room temperature lifetimes in the microsecond regime. The emission spectra of the CwedgeN2Ir(LX) complexes are surprisingly similar to the fac-IrCwedgeN3 complex of the same ligand, even though the structures of the two complexes are markedly different. The crystal structures of two of the CwedgeN2Ir(acac) complexes (i.e., CwedgeN = ppy and tpy) have been determined. Both complexes show cis-C,C', trans-N,N' disposition of the two cyclometalated ligands, similar to the structures reported for other complexes with a "CwedgeN2Ir" fragment. NMR data (1H and 13C) support a similar structure for all of the CwedgeN2Ir(LX) complexes. Close intermolecular contacts in both (ppy)2Ir(acac) and (tpy)2Ir(acac) lead to significantly red shifted emission spectra for crystalline samples of the ppy and tpy complexes relative to their solution spectra.     

Water-soluble, luminescent iridium(iii)-ytterbium(iii) complexes using dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine derivatives as bridging units

Amino-substituted dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (L(1)) and dimethyl-dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (L(2)) have been investigated as: (i) chromophores in cyclen-based ligands for lanthanide(iii) ions; (ii) ancillary co-ligands in cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes; (iii) bridging, linker units in covalently linked, water-soluble bimetallic lanthanide(iii) iridium(iii) hybrid complexes. The dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) derivatives can act as sensitising chromophores (λ(ex) 400 nm) for Yb(iii), resulting in characteristic near-IR emission at 950-1050 nm. The incorporation of dppz-type ligands into cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes of the general type [Ir(epqc)(2)(L(n))](PF(6)) (where epqc = ethylphenylquinoline carboxylate) gave luminescent species with solvent-sensitive emission properties. Steady state and time-resolved luminescence measurements on the water-soluble d-f hybrid species showed that Yb(III) can be sensitised using visible light.     

Photophysical properties of a new series of water soluble iridium bisterpyridine complexes functionalised at the 4' position

Four new hetero- and homo-leptic iridium(III) bisterpyridine complexes have been prepared which incorporate aniline (tpy-φ-NH(2)), benzoic acid (tpy-φ-COOH), and benzyl alcohol (tpy-φ-CH(2)OH) substituents at the 4' positions of the tpy ligands (tpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine, φ = phenylene). The electrochemical behaviour and ground and excited state spectroscopic properties of the complexes are reported, and the X-ray crystal structures of a homoleptic benzyl alcohol [Ir(tpy-φ-CH(2)OH)(2)](PF(6))(3), homoleptic aniline [Ir(tpy-φ-NH(2))(2)](PF(6))(3), and heteroleptic benzyl alcohol/aniline substituted complex [Ir(tpy-φ-CH(2)OH)(tpy-φ-NH(2))](PF(6))(3) have been solved. Complexes with aniline substituents were found to display absorption bands at around 430 nm corresponding to intraligand charge transfer (ILCT) that are sensitive to changes in solvent and pH. Strong emission in the visible region involving the ILCT state is observed in two of the complexes (Φ(e) = 0.7% and 2.6%) in acetonitrile. In the heteroleptic aniline/benzyl alcohol complex the Stokes shift is shown to be linearly related to solvent polarisability according to the Lippert equation, but only for solvents with weak hydrogen bonding interactions. Additionally, in water, emission from the ILCT state is quenched and only weak ligand centred (LC) emission is observed. The long lifetimes and quantum yields of these complexes make them interesting candidates for probes in sensing applications, especially [Ir(tpy-φ-CH(2)OH)(tpy-φ-NH(2))(2)](PF(6))(3) due to its unusual sensitivity to the solvent environment.     

Iridium(III) Complexes with [−2, −1, 0] Charged Ligand Realized Deep-Red/Near-Infrared Phosphorescent Emission

A series of [−2, −1, 0] charged-ligand based iridium(III) complexes of [Ir(bph)(bpy)(acac)] ( 1 ), [Ir(bph)(2MeO-bpy)(acac)] ( 2 ), [Ir(bph)(2CF₃-bpy)(acac)] ( 3 ), [Ir(bph)(bpy)(2^tBu-acac)] ( 4 ) and [Ir(bph)(bpy)(CF₃-acac)] ( 5 ), which using biphenyl as dianionic ligand [−2], acetylacetone (or its derivatives) as monoanionic ligand [−1], and 2,2′-bipyridine (or its derivatives) as neutral ligand [0] were designed and synthesized. The chemical structures were well characterized. All of the ligands have simple chemical structures, thus further making the complexes have excellent thermal stability and are easy to sublimate and purify. Phosphorescent characteristics with short emission lifetime were demonstrated for these emitters. Notably, all of the complexes exhibit remarkable deep red/near infrared emission, which is quite different from the reported [−1, −1, −1] charged-ligand based iridium(III) complexes. The photophysical properties of these complexes are regularly improved by introducing electron-donating or -withdrawing groups into [−1] or [0] charged-ligand. The related organic light-emitting diodes exhibited deep red/near infrared emission with acceptable external quantum efficiency and low turn-on voltage (<2.6 V). This work provides a new idea for the construction of new type phosphorescent iridium(III) emitters with different valence states of [−2, −1, 0] charged ligands, thus offering new opportunities and challenges for their optoelectronic applications.     

Controlling phosphorescence color and quantum yields in cationic iridium complexes: a combined experimental and theoretical study

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study on cationic Ir(III) complexes for OLED applications and describe a strategy to tune the phosphorescence wavelength and to enhance the emission quantum yields for this class of compounds. This is achieved by modulating the electronic structure and the excited states of the complexes by selective ligand functionalization. In particular, we report the synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and photophysical properties of a new cationic Ir(III) complex, [Ir(2,4-difluorophenylpyridine)2(4,4'-dimethylamino-2,2'-bipyridine)](PF(6)) (N969), and compare the results with those reported for the analogous [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)2(4,4'-dimethylamino-2,2'-bipyridine)](PF(6)) (N926) and for the prototype [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)2(4,4'-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine)](PF(6)) complex, hereafter labeled N925. The three complexes allow us to explore the (C/\N) and (N/\N) ligand functionalization: considering N925 as a reference, we investigate in N926 the effect of electron-releasing substituents on the bipyridine ligand, while in N969, we investigate the combined effect of electron-releasing substituents on the bipyridine ligand and the effect of electron-withdrawing substituents on the phenylpyridine ligands. For N969 we obtain blue-green emission at 463 nm with unprecedented high quantum yield of 85% in acetonitrile solution at room temperature. To gain insight into the factors responsible for the emission color change and the different quantum yields, we perform DFT and TDDFT calculations on the ground and excited states of the three complexes, characterizing the excited-state geometries and including solvation effects on the calculation of the excited states. This computational procedure allows us to provide a detailed assignment of the excited states involved in the absorption and emission processes and to rationalize the factors determining the efficiency of radiative and nonradiative deactivation pathways in the investigated complexes. This work represents an example of electronic structure-driven tuning of the excited-state properties, thus opening the way to a combined theoretical and experimental strategy for the design of new iridium(III) phosphors with specific target characteristics.     

Syntheses and properties of emissive iridium(III) complexes with tridentate benzimidazole derivatives

A series of novel emissive Ir(III) complexes having the coordination environments of [Ir(N--N--N)2]3+, [Ir(N--N--N)(N--N)Cl]2+, and [Ir(N--N--N)(N--C--N)]2+ with 2,6-bis(1-methyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (L1, N--N--N), 1,3-bis(1-methyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)benzene (L2H, N--C--N), 4'-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine (ttpy, N--N--N), and 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy, N--N) have been synthesized and their photophysical and electrochemical properties studied. The Ir(III) complexes exhibited phosphorescent emissions in the 500-600 nm region, with lifetimes ranging from approximately 1-10 micros at 295 K. Analysis of the 0-0 energies and the redox potentials indicated that the lowest excited state of [Ir(L1)(L2)]2+ possessed the highest contribution of 3MLCT (MLCT = metal-to-ligand charge transfer) among the Ir(III) complexes, reflecting the sigma-donating ability of the tridentate ligand, ttpy < L1 < L2. The emission quantum yields (phi) of the Ir(III) complexes ranged from 0.037 to 0.19, and the highest phi value (0.19) was obtained for [Ir(L1)(bpy)Cl]2+. Radiative rate constants (k(r)) were 1.2 x 10(4) s(-1) for [Ir(ttpy)2]3+, 3.7 x 10(4) s(-1) for [Ir(L1)(bpy)Cl]2+, 3.8 x 10(4) s(-1) for [Ir(ttpy)(bpy)Cl]2+, 3.9 x 10(4) s(-1) for [Ir(L1)2]3+, and 6.6 x 10(4) s(-1) for [Ir(L1)(L2)]2+. The highest radiative rate for [Ir(L1)(L2)]2+ with the highest contribution of 3MLCT could be explained in terms of the singlet-triplet mixing induced by spin-orbit coupling of 5d electrons in the MLCT electronic configurations.     

Substituent effects of iridium complexes for highly efficient red OLEDs

This study reports substituent effects of iridium complexes with 1-phenylisoquinoline ligands. The emission spectra and phosphorescence quantum yields of the complexes differ from that of tris(1-phenylisoquinolinato-C2,N)iridium(iii)(Irpiq) depending on the substituents. The maximum emission peak, quantum yield and lifetime of those complexes ranged from 598-635 nm, 0.17-0.32 and 1.07-2.34 micros, respectively. This indicates the nature of the substituents has a significant influence on the kinetics of the excited-state decay. The substituents attached to phenyl ring have an influence on a stability of the HOMO. Furthermore, those substituents have effect on the contribution to a mixing between 3pi-pi* and (3)MLCT for the lowest excited states. Some of the complexes display the larger quantum yield than Irpiq, which has the quantum yield of 0.22. The organic light emitting diode (OLED) device based on tris [1-(4-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)isoquinolinato-C2,N]iridium(iii)(Ir4F5Mpiq) yielded high external quantum efficiency of 15.5% and a power efficiency of 12.4 lm W(-1) at a luminance of 218 cd m(-2). An emission color of the device was close to an NTSC specification with CIE chromaticity characteristics of (0.66, 0.34).     

Phosphorescence vs fluorescence in cyclometalated platinum(II) and iridium(III) complexes of (oligo)thienylpyridines

Two newly prepared oligothienylpyridines, 5-(2-pyridyl)-5'-dodecyl-2,2'-bithiophene, HL(2), and 5-(2-pyridyl)-5'-dodecyl-2,2':5',2'-ter-thiophene, HL(3), bind to platinum(II) and iridium(III) as N∧C-coordinating ligands, cyclometallating at position C(4) in the thiophene ring adjacent to the pyridine, leaving a chain of either one or two pendent thiophenes. The synthesis of complexes of the form [PtL(n)(acac)] and [Ir(L(n))(2)(acac)] (n = 2 or 3) is described. The absorption and luminescence properties of these four new complexes are compared with the behavior of the known complexes [PtL(1)(acac)] and [Ir(L(1))(2)(acac)] {HL(1) = 2-(2-thienyl)pyridine}, and the profound differences in behavior are interpreted with the aid of time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. Whereas [PtL(1)(acac)] displays solely intense phosphorescence from a triplet state of mixed ππ*/MLCT character, the phosphorescence of [PtL(2)(acac)] and [PtL(3)(acac)] is weak, strongly red shifted, and accompanied by higher-energy fluorescence. TD-DFT reveals that this difference is probably due to the metal character in the lowest-energy excited states being strongly attenuated upon introduction of the additional thienyl rings, such that the spin-orbit coupling effect of the metal in promoting intersystem crossing is reduced. A similar pattern of behavior is observed for the iridium complexes, except that the changeover to dual emission is delayed to the terthiophene complex [Ir(L(3))(2)(acac)], reflecting the higher degree of metal character in the frontier orbitals of the iridium complexes than their platinum counterparts.