Cationic iridium(<scp>iii</scp>) complexes bearing ancillary 2,5-dipyridyl(pyrazine) (2,5-dpp) and 2,2′:5′,2′′-terpyridine (2,5-tpy) ligands: synthesis, optoelectronic characterization and light-emitting electrochemical cells

Four cationic iridium(III) complexes of the form [Ir(C^N)2(N^N)](+) bearing either a 2,5-dipyridylpyrazine (2,5-dpp) or a 2,2':5',2''-terpyridine (2,5-tpy) ancillary ligand and either 2-phenylpyridine (ppy) or a 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-methylpyridine (dFMeppy) cyclometalating ligands were synthesized. The optoelectronic properties of all complexes have been fully characterized by UV-visible absorption, cyclic voltammetry and emission spectroscopy. The conclusions drawn from these studies have been corroborated by DFT and TDDFT calculations. The four complexes were assessed as emitters in light-emitting electrochemical cells. Complex 1a, [Ir(ppy)2(2,5-dpp)]PF6, was found to be a deep red emitter (666 nm) both in acetonitrile solution and in the electroluminescent device. Complex 2a, [Ir(ppy)2(2,5-tpy)]PF6 was found to be an orange emitter (604 nm) both in solution and in the LEEC. LEECs incorporating both of these complexes were stable over the course of around 4-6 hours. Complex 1b, [Ir(dFMeppy)2(2,5-dpp)]PF6, was also determined to emit in the orange (605 nm) but with a photoluminescent quantum yield (ΦPL) double that of 2a. Complex 2b, [Ir(dFMeppy)2(2,5-tpy)]PF6 is an extremely bright green emitter (544 nm, 93%). All four complexes exhibited quasireversible electrochemistry and all four complexes phosphoresce from a mixed charge-transfer excited state.