Luminescent Organoplatinum(II) Complexes with Functionalized Cyclometalated C^N^C Ligands: Structures, Photophysical Properties, and Material Applications

Abstract

A series of [(R'-C^N^C-R'')Pt(L)] complexes with doubly deprotonated cyclometalated R'-C^N^C-R'' ligands (R'-C^N^C-R''=2,6-diphenylpyridine derivatives) functionalized with carbazole, fluorene, or thiophene unit(s) have been synthesized and their photophysical properties studied. The X-ray crystal structures reveal extensive intermolecular π···π and C-H···π interactions between the cyclometalated C^N^C ligands. Compared to previously reported cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes [(C^N^C)Pt(L)], which are non-emissive in solution at room temperature, the carbazole-, fluorene- and thiophene-functionalized [(R'-C^N^C-R'')Pt(L)] (L=DMSO 1-9, C≡N-Ar, 1a-9a) complexes are emissive in solution at room temperature with λ(max) at 564-619 nm and Φ=0.02-0.26. The emissions of the [(R'-C^N^C-R'')Pt(L)] complexes are attributed to electronic excited states with mixed (3)MLCT and (3)IL character. The carbazole/fluorene/thiophene unit(s) allow the tuning of the electronic properties of the [(R'-C^N^C-R'')Pt] moiety, with the emission maxima in a range of 564-619 nm. These are the first examples of organoplatinum(II) complexes bearing doubly deprotonated cyclometalated C^N^C ligands that are emissive in solution at room temperature. In non-degassed DMSO, the emission intensities of 6a-9a are enhanced upon exposure to ambient light. This phenomenon is caused by reacting photogenerated (1)O(2) with a DMSO molecule to form dimethyl sulfone, leading to the removal of dissolved oxygen in solution. Self-assembled nanowires and nanorods are obtained from precipitation of 3a in THF/H(2)O and 8a in DMSO/Et(2)O, respectively. The [(R'-C^N^C-R'')Pt(L)] complexes are soluble in common organic solvents with a high thermal stability (>300 °C), rendering them as phosphorescent dopants for organic light-emitting diode (OLEDs) applications. Red OLEDs with CIE coordinates of (0.65±0.01, 0.35±0.01) were fabricated from 7a or 8a. A maximum external efficiency (η(Ext)) of 12.6% was obtained for the device using 8a as emitter.

Recent advances in phosphorescent platinum complexes for organic light-emitting diodes

“…Similar to the case of C^N^N type of ligands, a significant structural distortion is the main factor that accounts for this low emission efficiency. However, Che and co-workers demonstrated that extension of the π-conjugation at the tridentate ligand, together with the use of heterocyclic moieties such as thiophene or carbazole, clearly favours the luminescence properties of these type of platinum(II) complexes [68]. …”

Control over the Self‐Assembly Modes of PtII Complexes by Alkyl Chain Variation: From Slipped to Parallel π‐Stacks

“…[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] These systems have a strong propensity to aggregate in solution and in the solid state via Pt•••Pt and/or other secondary forces, as recently shown for various classes of complexes in a comprehensive review by Yam and co-workers. 31 Among them, the self-assembly features of hydrophobic Pt(II) complexes with acetylide, [32][33][34][35][36] bidentate, [37][38][39] tridentate N-donor, [40][41][42] and cyclometalating ligands [43][44][45] are relatively well understood. 31 In contrast, their hydrophobic counterparts featuring non-chelating ligands and, in particular, bis(pyridyl) Pt(II) complexes have been limited to liquid crystalline materials [46][47][48] and hydrogen-bonded metallogelators.…”

Diarylplatinum(II) Compounds as Versatile Metallating Agents in the Synthesis of Cyclometallated Platinum Compounds with N-Donor Ligands

“…Evidence from the fact that cis configuration of the platinum precursor is not required comes from the fact that double cyclometallation of 3,6-bis(2-thienyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine has been achieved from the precursor trans-[Pt (2,4,6-Me 3 C 6 H 2 ) 2 (dmso) 2 ] in a reaction leading to a dinuclear platinum(II) compound [55]. [60] in order to compare the results with those obtained when [Pt 2 Me 4 (μ-SMe 2 ) 2 ] was used as precursor.…”

“…Cyclometallated platinum compounds containing N-donor ligands have attracted a great deal of attention because of their potential interest in both areas [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. For this reason, the development of new methods for the preparation of cycloplatinated compounds containing N-donor ligands is a pursued goal.…”