Design, synthesis, and properties of a series of charged iridium(III) complexes with a neutral bidentate ligand for deep-blue phosphorescent emitter

•A new series of charged iridum(III) complexes is synthesized.•A deep-blue-emitting complex with an N,N-bidentate ligand is demonstrated.•A light-emitting device based on the charged complex was successfully fabricated.

We herein report a series of charged iridium(III) complexes with a neutral bidentate ligand for blue phosphorescent emitter. A molecular design bearing a 2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine ligand proved suitable for efficient blue emission according to the comparison of photoluminescent properties of the complexes. Its Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage x,y-coordinates (CIEx,y) in solution was estimated to be (0.17, 0.18), indicating that the complex with the ligand is a promising candidate for deep-blue emitter. We further demonstrated that this complex displays blue electroluminescence by successfully integrating it in a light-emitting device.

Graphical abstractThis paper features the design, synthesis and properties of a new series of charged iridium(III) complexes for phosphorescent emitter.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide