Stepwise Strategy to Cyclometallated PtIIComplexes with N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands: A Luminescence Study on New β-Diketonate Complexes

A naphthalene-based heterobimetallic triazolylidene IrIII/PdII complex: regioselective to regiospecific C-H activation, tandem catalysis and a copper-free Sonogashira reaction

Heterobimetallic complexes featuring mesoionic carbene (MIC) donor ligands are gaining enormous popularity in tandem catalysis owing to the combined action of two different metal centers during catalysis. A rare version of the heterobimetallic Pd^II/Ir^III complex possessing a cyclometalated mesoionic carbene (MIC) ligand is presented along with the analogous homodinuclear Pd^II complex. A sterically controlled regiospecific cyclometalation towards the formation of a six-membered ring complex over a five-membered ring complex has been performed using a naphthalene-based bis-MIC ligand platform. The interplay between regioselective vs. regiospecific C-H bond activation for the synthesis of cyclometalated Ir^III complexes has also been demonstrated using the corresponding naphthyl-derived mono-imidazolylidene ligand. Both homodinuclear Pd^II and heterobimetallic Pd^II/Ir^III complexes have been characterized using standard spectroscopic techniques including ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, 2D correlation NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. The structure of the cyclometalated heterobimetallic complex has been established by single crystal XRD. The heterobimetallic complex has been employed as a pre-catalyst in the tandem Suzuki-Miyaura/transfer hydrogenation reaction and the homobimetallic Pd^II complex has been successfully employed as a catalyst in both the Sonogashira coupling and α-arylation of 1-methyl-2-oxindole.

Strongly Luminescent Pt(IV) Complexes with a Mesoionic N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand: Tuning Their Photophysical Properties

The synthesis, electrochemistry, and photophysical properties of a series of bis-cyclometalated Pt(IV) complexes that combine the mesoionic aryl-NHC ligand 4-butyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (trz) with either 1-phenylpyrazole or 2-arylpyridine (C∧N) are reported. The complexes (OC-6-54)-[PtCl2(C∧N)(trz)] bearing cyclometalating 2-arylpyridines present phosphorescent emissions in the blue to yellow color range, which essentially arise from 3LC(C∧N) states, and reach quantum yields of ca. 0.3 in fluid solutions and almost unity in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrices at 298 K, thus representing a class of strong emitters with tunable properties. A systematic comparison with the homologous C2-symmetrical species (OC-6-33)-[PtCl2(C∧N)2], which contains two equal 2-arylpyridine ligands, shows that the introduction of a trz ligand leads to significantly lower nonradiative decay rates and higher quantum efficiencies. Computational calculations substantiate the effect of the carbene ligand, which raises the energy of dσ* orbitals in these derivatives and results in the higher energies of nonemissive deactivating 3LMCT states. In contrast, the isomers (OC-6-42)-[PtCl2(C∧N)(trz)] are not luminescent because they present a 3LMCT state as the lowest triplet.

Highly Photoluminescent Blue Ionic Platinum-Based Emitters

New cycloplatinated N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) compounds with chelate diphosphines (P^P) as ancillary ligands: [Pt(R-C^C*)(P^P)]PF₆ (R = H, P^P = dppm (1A), dppe (2A), dppbz (3A); R = CN, P^P = dppm (1B), dppe (2B), dppbz (3B)) have been prepared from the corresponding starting material [{Pt(R-C^C*)(μ-Cl)}₂] (R = H, A, R = CN, B) and fully characterized. The new compound A has been prepared by a stepwise protocol. The photophysical properties of 1A-3A and 1B-3B have been widely studied and supported by the time-dependent-density functional theory. These compounds show an efficient blue (dppe, dppbz) or cyan (dppm) emission in PMMA films (5 wt %), with photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) ranging from 30% to 87% under an argon atmosphere. This emission has been assigned mainly to transitions from ³ILCT [π(NHC) → π*(NHC)] excited states with some ³LL'CT [π(NHC) → π*(P^P)] character. The electroluminescence of these materials in proof-of-concept solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes containing 3A and 3B as dopants was investigated. The CIE coordinates for devices based on 3A (0.22, 0.41) and 3B (0.24, 0.44) fit within the sky blue region.

Luminescence of mononuclear Pt(ii) complexes with glycolate: external stimuli-induced excimer emission changes to oligomer emissions

Trihydrate crystals of novel Pt^II complexes [Pt^II(bpy)(gl)] (bpy: 2,2′-bipyridine; Hgl⁻: glycolate) show excimer emission changes to two kinds of oligomer emissions depending on the type of external stimuli.

Sky-Blue Triplet Emitters with Cyclometalated Imidazopyrazine-Based NHC-Ligands and Aromatic Bulky Acetylacetonates

Platinum(II) complexes with an N-heterocyclic carbene and a cyclometalating phenyl ligand (C^C*) are excellent candidates as efficient blue triplet emitters for OLED applications. The electronic and photophysical properties of these complexes can be fine-tuned with the objective to increase the quantum yields and lower the phosphorescence decay times. We found that platinum complexes with an imidazopyrazine C^C* ligand and bulky acetylacetonates are sky-blue triplet emitters, characterised by an almost unitary quantum yield and short phosphorescence decay times.

Luminescent Platinum(IV) Complexes Bearing Cyclometalated 1,2,3-Triazolylidene and Bi- or Terdentate 2,6-Diarylpyridine Ligands

The synthesis, structure, and photophysical properties of luminescent Pt^IV complexes that combine cyclometalated 1,2,3-triazolylidene and bi- or terdentate 2,6-diarylpyridine ligands are reported. The targeted complexes represent the first examples of Pt^IV species with a cyclometalated mesoionic aryl-NHC ligand. They exhibit moderate or weak emissions in fluid solution at 298 K arising from ³ LC states, which become very intense in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrices at 298 K. DFT and TD-DFT calculations confirm that the chromophoric ligand is the cyclometalated 2,6-diarylpyridine and show that the aryl-NHC ligand exerts a beneficial effect on the emission efficiencies of these derivatives by increasing the energy of deactivating LMCT excited states with respect to comparable Pt^IV complexes with cyclometalated 2-arylpyridine ligands.

A double rollover cycloplatinated(ii) skeleton: a versatile platform for tuning emission by chelating and non-chelating ancillary ligand systems

Described here is the synthesis and characterization of heteroleptic binuclear platinum(ii) complexes of the type [Pt2(μ-bpy-2H)(S^S)2] and [Pt2(μ-bpy-2H)(L)2(X)2], containing a 2,2'-bipyridine-based double rollover cycloplatinated core (Pt(μ-bpy-2H)Pt), in combination with the anionic S^S- chelate ligands di(ethyl)dithiocarbamate (dedtc) and O,O'-di(cyclohexyl)dithiophosphate (dcdtp) or non-chelating L/X ancillary ligands (PPh3/Me, t-BuNC/Me, PPh3/SCN and PPh3/N3). The new complexes were characterized using multinuclear (1H, 31P and 195Pt) NMR spectroscopy and some of them additionally using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The absorption and photoluminescence of the complexes show a strong dependence on the ancillary ligands. Upon excitation at 365 nm, in a CH2Cl2 rigid matrix (77 K), the complexes exhibit structured emission bands with λmax between 488 nm and 525 nm and vibrational spacing around 1350 cm-1, indicating the excited states centered on the cyclometalated ligand (3ILCT) with some mixing 3MLCT characteristics. In the case of the PPh3/N3 complex, a dual emission band (orange color) is observed in the solid state at 298 K for which the low energy band arises from an aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Upon lowering the temperature (77 K), thermochromism is observed (orange to yellow) which is accompanied by the intensification of the high energy band (ligand-centered structured band). Finally, in order to rationalize the obtained photophysical data, complete DFT (density functional theory) and TD-DFT (time-dependent DFT) calculations were performed on the selected complexes.

Phosphorescent Cyclometalated Platinum(II) aNHC Complexes

The synthesis and characterization of the first bidentate C^C* cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes based on abnormal N-heterocyclic carbenes (aNHC) is presented. The aNHC ligand precursors are prepared from benzonitriles and anilines to form 1,2,3-trisubstituted imidazolium salts. The title compounds were synthesized by in situ generation of the silver carbene complex, followed by transmetalation to platinum and subsequent introduction of the β-diketonate ligand. Structural characterization by 2D NMR experiments, as well as solid-state structures unequivocally prove the abnormal binding mode of the aNHC ligands. Additionally, the photophysical properties of the platinum(II) complexes were examined and studied in detail by DFT calculations and cyclic voltammetry experiments. The title compounds proved to be strongly emissive at room temperature in the green to orange region of the visible spectrum, with emission efficiencies of up to 69 %.

Enhanced quantum yields by sterically demanding aryl-substituted β-diketonate ancillary ligands

Luminescent organometallic platinum(II) compounds are of interest as phosphors for organic light emitting devices. Their emissive properties can be tuned by variation of the ligands or by specific electron-withdrawing or electron-donating substituents. Different ancillary ligands can have a profound impact on the emission color and emission efficiency of these complexes. We studied the influence of sterically hindered, aryl-substituted β-diketonates on the emission properties of C^C* cyclometalated complexes, employing the unsubstituted methyl-phenyl-imidazolium ligand. The quantum yield was significantly enhanced by changing the auxiliary ligand from acetylacetonate, where the corresponding platinum(II) complex shows only a very weak emission, to mesityl (mes) or duryl (dur) substituted acetylacetonates. The new complexes show very efficient emission with quantum yields >70% in the sky-blue spectral region (480 nm) and short decay times (<3 μs).

4,5-Substituted C^C* cyclometalated thiazol-2-ylidene platinum(ii) complexes - synthesis and photophysical properties

We report the synthesis of seven novel backbone functionalized N-phenyl-1,3-thiazol-2-ylidene platinum(ii) complexes and their photophysical properties. Electronically diverse N-phenyl-1,3-thiazol-2-thiones were prepared by a reaction of aniline with carbon disulfide and different α-haloketone compounds. Oxidative desulfuration and salt metathesis yielded the desired NHC-precursors with hexafluorophosphate counterions. In addition, a new route for the synthesis of N-phenyl-1,3-benzo[d]thiazole tetrafluoroborate via N-arylation using hypervalent iodine species is presented. All complexes were prepared from the corresponding NHC precursor in a one-pot process using silver(i)oxide, transmetalation to platinum and reaction with the β-diketone acetylacetone under basic conditions. These complexes exhibit strong phosphorescence with quantum yields up to 72% in 2 wt% PMMA films with decay lifetimes of 8.8-12.3 μs. The influence of methyl- and phenyl-groups, and an ester-substituent at the 4- and/or 5-position of the 1,3-thiazole moiety, as well as the N-phenyl-1,3-benzo[d]thiazole-derived motif is discussed. The 4,5-unsubstituted-N-phenyl-1,3-thiazol-2-ylidene platinum(ii) acetylacetonato complex served as a reference in this study to evaluate the electronic effects originating from the backbone substitution. All complexes emit in a narrow range of the bluish-green spectrum of the visible light (510 ± 10 nm).

Heteroleptic Cycloplatinated N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: A New Approach to Highly Efficient Blue-Light Emitters

New heteroleptic compounds of platinum(II)-containing cyclometalated N-heterocyclic carbenes, [PtCl(R-C^C*)(PPh₃)] [R-CH^C*-κC* = 3-methyl-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-ylidene (R-C = Naph; 1A), 1-[4-(ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylidene (R = CO₂Et; 1B), and [Pt(R-C^C*)(py)(PPh₃)]PF₆ (py = pyridine; R-C = Naph, 2A; R = CO₂Et, 2B], have been prepared and fully characterized. All of them were obtained as the trans-(C*,PPh₃) isomer in high yields. The selectivity of their synthesis has been explained in terms of the degree of transphobia (T) of pairs of ligands in trans positions. X-ray diffraction studies on both 2A and 2B revealed that only in 2A, containing a C^C* with a more extended π system, do the molecules assemble themselves into head-to-tail pairs through intermolecular π···π contacts. The photophysical properties of 2A and 2B and those of the related compounds [Pt(NC-C^C*)(PPh₃)L]PF₆ [NC-CH^C*-κC* = 1-(4-cyanophenyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylidene; L = pyridine (py; 2C), 2,6-dimethylphenylisocyanide (CNXyl; 3C), and 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole (MMI; 4C)] have been examined to analyze the influence of the R substituent on R-C^C* (R-C = Naph; R = CO₂Et, CN) and that of the ancillary ligands (L) on them. Experimental data and time-dependent density functional theory calculations showed the similarity of the electronic features associated with R-C^C* (R = CN, CO₂Et) and their difference with respect to R-C^C* (R-C = Naph). All of the compounds are very efficient blue emitters in poly(methyl methacrylate) films under an argon atmosphere, with QY values ranging from 68% (2B) to 93% (2C). In the solid state, the color of the emission changes to yellowish-orange for compounds 2A (λ_max = 600 nm) and 3C (λ_max = 590 nm) because of the formation of aggregates through intermolecular π···π interactions. 2C and 3C were chosen to fabricate fully solution-processed electroluminescent devices with blue-light (2C), yellow-orange-light (3C), and white-light (mixtures of 2C and 3C) emission from neat films of the compounds as emitting layers.

Changing the Emission Properties of Phosphorescent C^C*-Cyclometalated Thiazol-2-ylidene Platinum(II) Complexes by Variation of the β-Diketonate Ligands

Cyclometalated thiazol-2-ylidene platinum(II) complexes based on the N-phenyl-4,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazol-2-ylidene N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand and seven different β-diketonate ligands have been synthesised and investigated for their structural and photophysical properties. The complexes were synthesised in a one-pot procedure starting with the in situ formation of the corresponding silver(I) carbene and transmetalation to platinum, followed by the reaction with the respective β-diketonate under basic conditions. All the compounds were fully characterised by standard techniques, including ¹⁹⁵ Pt NMR spectroscopy. Three solid-state structures revealed quite different aggregation behaviour depending on the β-diketonate architecture. The reported complexes showed strong phosphorescence at room temperature in amorphous poly(methyl methacrylate) films. The emission wavelengths (ca. 510 nm) were found to be independent of the β-diketonate ligand, but the electronically diverse β-diketonates strongly influence the observed quantum yields (QY) and decay lifetimes. The results of theoretical studies employing density functional theory (DFT) methods support the conclusion of a metal-to-ligand charge transfer (³ MLCT) as the main emission process, in accordance with the reported photophysical properties. Standard organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) prepared with unoptimised matrix materials using one of the complexes showed values of 12.3 % external quantum yield, 24.0 lm W^-1 luminous efficacy and 37.8 cd A^-1 current efficiency at 300 cd m^-2 .

Binuclear C^C* Cyclometalated Platinum(II) NHC Complexes with Bridging Amidinate Ligands

Binuclear C^C* cyclometalated NHC platinum(II) compounds with bridging amidinate ligands were synthesized to evaluate their photophysical properties. Their three-dimensional structures were determined by a combination of 2D NMR experiments, mass spectrometry, DFT calculations, and solid-state structure analysis. The bridging amidinate ligands enforce short distances between the platinum centers of the two cyclometalated structures, which gives rise to extraordinary photophysical properties.

White Light Emission from Planar Remote Phosphor Based on NHC Cycloplatinated Complexes

We report on the generation of bright white luminescence through solid-state illumination of remote phosphors based on novel cycloplatinated N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) compounds. Following a stepwise protocol we got the new NHC compound [{Pt(μ-Cl)(C(∧)C*)}2] (4) (HC(∧)C*-κC* = 1-(4-(ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylidene), which was used together with the related ones 4a (HC(∧)C*-κC*= 1-(4-cyanophenyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylidene) and 4b (HC(∧)C*-κC*= 3-methyl-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-ylidene) as starting materials for the synthesis of the new ionic derivatives [Pt(R-C(∧)C*) (CNR')2]PF6 (R = -COOEt, R' = t-Bu (5), Xyl (6); R = -CN, R' = t-Bu (7), Xyl (8); R(∧)C = Naph, R' = t-Bu (9), Xyl (10)). The X-ray structures of 6 and 8-10 have been determined. The photophysical properties of these cationic compounds have been studied and supported by the time-dependent-density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. The compounds 5, 8, and 9 have been revealed as the most efficient emitters in the solid state with quantum yields of 41%, 21%, and 40%, respectively. White-light remote-phosphors have been prepared just by stacking different combinations of these compounds and [Pt(bzq) (CN) (CN(t)Bu)] (R1) as blue (5, 8), yellow (9), and red (R1) components onto the same substrate. The CCT (correlated color temperature) and the CRI (color rendering index) of the emitted white-light have been tuned by accurately controlling the individual contributions.