Color tuning of iridium complexes – Part I: Substituted phenylisoquinoline-based iridium complexes as the triplet emitter

A series of new iridium complexes with isoquinoline derivative ligands were synthesized for application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). It is demonstrated that varying the substituents at the 2′- or 4′-positions of the isoquinoline ligand makes the color tuning possible. Because of the steric effect, the 6′-substituted complexes: bis[1-(6′-methyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6b1), bis[1-(6′-trifluoromethyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6b2), and bis[1-(6′-methoxy)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6b3) show red-shift effect with respect to the 4′-substituted complexes: bis[1-(4′-methyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6a1), bis[1-(4′-trifluoromethyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6a2), and bis[1-(4′-methoxy)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6a3). All of these complexes are suitable for the red phosphorescent materials in OLEDs.

Graphical abstractA series of new iridium complexes with isoquinoline derivative ligands were synthesized for application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). It is demonstrated that varying the substituents at the 2′- or 4′-positions of the isoquinoline ligand makes the color tuning possible. All of these complexes are suitable for the red phosphorescent materials in OLEDs.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide