Cyclometalated mono and dinuclear rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes with imidazolyl phenanthrolines: Synthesis and, photophysical and electrochemical characterization

Cyclometalated rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes were synthesized with imidazolyl modified phenanthroline ligands (1–2) of general formula [M(ppy)2(1)]Cl [M = Rh/Ir] and [{M(ppy)2}2(2)]Cl2 [M = Rh/Ir] (3–9). All the compounds 1–9, have been characterized spectroscopically to reveal their dependence on the solvent polarity and proticity of the environment. The photophysical details show that the ligands as well as the cyclometalated complexes have spectrum of variations depending on the immediate solvent environment and pH of the medium. Electrochemical studies show variation in the electrochemical behaviour due to the change of the metal centres.

Graphical abstractHomonuclear and heterobinuclear cyclometalated rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes 3–9 were synthesized with imidazolyl modified phenanthroline ligands. The detail photophysical studies reveal that the emission behaviour of the rhodium complexes is greatly influenced by ligand emission behaviour.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide