Archetypal Iridium(III) Compounds for Optoelectronic and Photonic Applications

Abstract

Summary This chapter presents the photophysical properties and synthesis of the archetypal complexes suitable for the applications of iridium (Ir) complexes. Ir(III) complexes bearing C^N and C^C: cyclometalated ligands possess impressive photophysical properties that make these compounds highly desirable for the optoelectronic and photonic applications. The cyclometalated Ir(III) compounds are highly emissive because the lowest energy excited states are a mixture of metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) and ligand-centered (LC) Π-Π* states, not the non-radiative d-d states. Phosphorescent Ir(III) complexes have a d6 configuration at the metal center and MLCT or LC excited states instead of MC states as the lowest energy states. Among phosphorescent compounds, cyclometalated complexes of Ir(III) emit from triplet excited states with extraordinary quantum yields and radiative rates. The chapter summarizes synthetic methods for homo- and heteroleptic complexes that comprising tridentate ligands having one or two C-donors.