Heteroleptic iridium (III) complexes with three different ligands: Unusual triplet emitters for light-emitting electrochemical cells

•Two triple heteroleptic iridium complexes have been synthesized.•Cationic complexes differ by the ancillary ligand.•Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) were fabricated and characterized.•LECs based on these complexes resulted in green light emission.

Two cationic iridium (III) complexes [Ir(dfppy)(tpy)(bpy)](PF6) and [Ir(dfppy)(tpy)(phen)](PF6) bearing three different ligands were tested as triplet emitters for Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells (LECs). These two phosphorescent materials only constitute the third and fourth examples of triple heteroleptic cationic iridium complexes to be tested in electroluminescent devices. LECs fabricated with this almost unknown class of iridium complex furnished green-emitting devices. Parallel to investigations devoted to electroluminescent properties, photophysical and electrochemical properties of the two new complexes were examined. Density functional theory calculations were also performed to provide insight into the electronic structure of the two emitters.

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