No abstract

In order to investigate the ground state and excited state properties of Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X, we have prepared a series of Pt complexes, where N(∧)C(∧)N aromatic chelates are derivatives of m-di(2-pyridinyl)benzene (dpb) and X are monoanionic and monodentate ancillary ligands including halide and phenoxide. Facile synthesis of platinum m-di(2-pyridinyl)benzene chloride and its derivatives, using controlled microwave heating, was reported. This method not only shortened the reaction time but also improved the reaction yield for most of the Pt complexes. Two Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X complexes have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The change of functional group does not affect the structure of the core Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)Cl fragment. Both molecules pack as head-to-tail dimers, each molecule of the dimer related to the other by a center of inversion. The electrochemical studies of all Pt complexes demonstrate that the oxidation process occurs on the metal-phenyl fragment and the reduction process is associated with the electron accepting groups like pyridinyl groups and their derivatives. The maximum emission wavelength of the Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X complexes ranges between 471 and 610 nm, crossing the spectrum of visible light. Most of the Pt complexes are strongly luminescent (Φ = 0.32-0.63) and have short luminescence lifetimes (τ = 4-7 μs) at room temperature. The lowest excited state of the Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X complexes is identified as a dominant ligand-centered (3)π-π* state with some (1)MLCT/(3)MLCT character, which appears to have a larger (1)MLCT component than their bidentate and tridentate analogs. This results in a high radiative decay rate and high quantum yield for Pt(dpb)Cl and its analogs. However, the excited state properties of the Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X complexes are strongly dependent on the nature of the electron-accepting groups and substituents to the metal-phenyl fragment. A rational design will be needed to tune the emission energies of the Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X complexes over a wide range while maintaining their high luminescent efficiency.

In order to develop organic light-emitting diodes with improved optical properties, a series of phosphorescent complexes exhibiting narrow-band emission spectra are prepared and color tuned to emit efficiently across the whole visible spectrum through a judicious molecular design. Devices employing a green narrow-band phosphorescent emitter are fabricated and demonstrate an internal quantum efficiency of close to unity and impressive device operational lifetimes, estimate at over 70,000 hours at a practical luminance of 100 cd/m 2 . Additionally a deep blue narrow-band emitter is incorporated into a device setting which demonstrates a peak external quantum efficiency of 17.6% and CIE coordinates of (0.14, 0.09).

A new class of cyclometalated tetradentate platinum complexes of the type Pt[N(/\)C-O-LL'] was synthesized and characterized. N(/\)C is a cyclometalating ligand such as phenyl-pyrazole (ppz), phenyl-methylimidazole (pmi), or phenyl-pyridine (ppy), and LL' is an ancillary ligand such as phenoxyl-pyridine (popy). The complexes in this series are highly luminescent, emitting blue to green light in solution with quantum efficiencies ranging from 0.39 to 0.64 and luminescent lifetimes from 2 to 9 μs. When doped in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thin film, measured quantum efficiencies increase to 0.81-0.97 with lifetimes ranging from 4.5-10.4 μs. One notable example, the metal complex PtOO3, emits green light with a luminescent quantum efficiency approaching 100% and achieves approximately 100% electron-to-photon conversion efficiency in device settings.

Highly efficient and stable palladium complexes that exhibit both phosphorescence and delayed fluorescence are developed. It is demonstrated that the emission from the two processes can be separately tuned through rational ligand modification. External quantum efficiencies over 20% are achieved and stable devices demonstrate an operational lifetime to 90% initial luminance estimated at over 20 000 h at 100 cd m(-2) .