Triplet Emitters for OLED Applications. Mechanisms of Exciton Trapping and Control of Emission Properties

Organoboron Complexes as Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF) Materials for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs): A Computational Study

We report on organoboron complexes characterized by very small energy gaps (ΔEST) between their singlet and triplet states, which allow for highly efficient harvesting of triplet excitons into singlet states for working as thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) devices. Energy gaps ranging between 0.01 and 0.06 eV with dihedral angles of ca. 90° were registered. The spin-orbit couplings between the lowest excited S1 and T1 states yielded reversed intersystem crossing rate constants (KRISC) of an average of 105 s-1. This setup accomplished radiative decay rates of ca. 106 s-1, indicating highly potent electroluminescent devices, and hence, being suitable for application as organic light-emitting diodes.

Phosphorescent Bimetallic C^C* Platinum( ii ) Complexes with Bridging Substituted Diphenylformamidinates

A series of phosphorescent bimetallic platinum(II) complexes is presented, which were synthesized by the combination of bidentate cyclometalated N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and different bridging diphenylformamidinates. The complexes were characterized by standard techniques and additionally two solid-state structures could be obtained. Photoluminescence measurements revealed the strong emissive behavior of the compounds with quantum yields of up to 90 % and emission lifetimes of approx. 2 μs. The effect of the substitution pattern in the bridging ligands on the structural and photophysical properties of the complexes was examined in detail and rationalized by density functional theory calculations (PBE0/6-311G*).

Multifunctional Luminescent Sensor Based on the Pb2+ Complex Containing a Tetrazolato Ligand

A series of luminescent Pb²⁺ complexes, [Pb(L¹)₂]_n (1), [Pb(L²)₂]_n (2), [Pb(L³)(NO₃)(H₂O)₂]_n (3), [Pb(L³)(Br)(H₂O)]_n (4), [Pb(L³)(Cl)(H₂O)]_n (5), and [Pb(L⁴)(H₂O)₂] (6) have been synthesized by treatment of polydentate tetrazolato ligands with various hydrated Pb²⁺ salts (HL¹ = 2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyridine, HL² = 3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)isoquinoline, HL³ = 6-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine, and H₂L⁴ = 6,6'-bis(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine). These complexes have been characterized by IR, TGA, and elemental analysis. Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography, and the phase purity of bulk samples were further confirmed by PXRD. Their luminescence properties have been investigated in detail, and their emission origin may involve ligand-centered π-π* transition, metal-centered s-p transition and charge-transfer character. It is interesting to note that 5 exhibits obviously enhanced red-shifted emission, whose photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY = 16.5%) is much higher than the other compounds (≤2%). Most importantly, the emission property of 5 was strongly affected by temperature. When the temperature rises from 295 to 493 K, the emission maximum gradually shifts to high energy due to the loss of the aqua ligand. In contrast, when the temperature is lowered from 295 to 13 K, two emission bands were observed. The low-energy emission band exhibits a slight blue shift, while a new high-energy emission band appears at around 520 nm, which is assigned to ligand-centered phosphorescence. After removal of the coordinated aqua ligand, the emission of 5-H₂O is very sensitive to the vapors of volatile primary amines and acids, although they have different response mechanisms. This result indicates that 5-H₂O may be a potential multifunctional sensor for temperature, volatile amines, and acids. To decipher the emission origin, DFT calculations have also been carried out based on the structure units of these compounds.

Effect of the dangling aromatic ring on neutral luminescent bis(phosphine) Cu(i)/Ag(i) complexes with the asymmetric pyridyl-tetrazolate ligands

A series of neutral luminescent bis(phosphine) Cu(i) complexes of pyridyl-tetrazolate ligands (L1-L3) with the general formula [CuI(L n )(P^P)] (1-6) were synthesized, which have been well characterized by IR, UV/vis, CV, 1H NMR and 31P NMR. For comparison, an Ag(i) complex [AgI(L2)(PPh3)2] (7) was also synthesized. The crystal structures of 2 and 7 have been further determined by X-ray crystallography. All these Cu(i) compounds show bright luminescence in the solid state with photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) in the range of 25.8% to 85.0%. More interestingly, the Cu(i) complexes bearing an additional dangling aromatic ring on the diimine ligands exhibit enhanced luminescent performance in various solutions and their PLQYs are significantly higher than those of related Cu(i) complexes without steric protection. Compared with 1, the Cu(i) complexes with an additional dangling tetrazole moiety show a significant solvatochromic effect, which is uncommon for luminescent Cu(i) complexes. Moreover, [CuI(L2)(PPh3)2] (2) was further designed as an OLED material, which showed a high external quantum efficiency of 7.7%.

π-Extended Ligands in Two-Coordinate Coinage Metal Complexes

Two-coordinate carbene-M^I-amide (cMa, M^I = Cu, Ag, Au) complexes have emerged as highly efficient luminescent materials for use in a variety of photonic applications due to their extremely fast radiative rates through thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) from an interligand charge transfer (ICT) process. A series of cMa derivatives was prepared to examine the variables that affect the radiative rate, with the goal of understanding the parameters that control the radiative TADF process in these materials. We find that blue-emissive complexes with high photoluminescence efficiencies (Φ_PL > 0.95) and fast radiative rates (k_r = 4 × 10⁶ s^-1) can be achieved by selectively extending the π-system of the carbene and amide ligands. Of note is the role played by the increased separation between the hole and electron in the ICT excited state. Analysis of temperature-dependent luminescence data and theoretical calculations indicate that the hole-electron separation exerts a primary effect on the energy gap between the lowest-energy singlet and triplet states (ΔE_ST) while keeping the radiative rate for the singlet state relatively unchanged. This interpretation provides guidelines for the design of new cMa derivatives with even faster radiative rates in addition to those with slower radiative rates and thus extended excited state lifetimes.

Introduction of a triphenylamine substituent on pyridyl rings as a springboard for a new appealing brightly luminescent 1,3-di-(2-pyridyl)benzene platinum(II) complex family

The preparation and characterization of three new complexes, namely [Pt(1,3-bis(4-triphenylamine-pyridin-2-yl)-4,6-difluoro-benzene)Cl] ([PtL1Cl]), [Pt(1,3-bis(4-triphenylamine-pyridin-2-yl)-5-triphenylamine-benzene)Cl] ([PtL2Cl]), and [Pt(1,3-bis(4-triphenylamine-pyridin-2-yl)-5-mesityl-benzene)Cl] ([PtL3Cl]), is reported. All of them are highly luminescent in dilute deaerated dichloromethane solution (Φ_lum = 0.88-0.90, in the yellow-green region; the λ_max,em in nm for the monomers are: 562, 561 and 549 for [PtL1Cl], [PtL2Cl] and [PtL3Cl], respectively).[PtL1Cl] is the most appealing, being characterized by a very long lifetime (103.9 μs) and displaying intense NIR emission in concentrated deaerated solution (Φ_lum = 0.66) with essentially no "contamination" by visible light < 600 nm. This complex allows the fabrication of both yellow-green and deep red/NIR OLEDs; OLED emissions are in the yellow-green (CIE = 0.38, 0.56) and deep red/NIR (CIE = 0.65, 0,34) regions, for [PtL1Cl] 8 wt% (with 11% ph/e EQE) and pure [PtL1Cl] (with 4.3% ph/e EQE), respectively.

Copper(I)-Pyrazolate Complexes as Solid-State Phosphors: Deep-Blue Emission through a Remote Steric Effect

We describe a novel manifestation of rigidochromic behavior in a series of tetranuclear Cu(I)-pyrazolate (Cu₄pz₄) macrocycles, with implications for solid-state luminescence at deep-blue wavelengths (<460 nm). The Cu₄pz₄ emissions are remarkably sensitive to structural effects far from the luminescent core: when 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazoles are used as bridging ligands, adding a C4 substituent can induce a blue shift of more than 100 nm. X-ray crystal and computational analyses reveal that C4 units influence the conformational behavior of adjacent tert-butyl groups, with a subsequent impact on the global conformation of the Cu₄pz₄ complex. Emissions are mediated primarily through a cluster-centered triplet (³CC) state; compression of the Cu₄ cluster into a nearly close-packed geometry prevents the reorganization of its excited-state structure and preserves the ³CC energy at a high level. The remote steric effect may thus offer alternative strategies toward the design of phosphors with rigid excited-state geometries.

Efficient Blue Electrophosphorescence and Hyperphosphorescence Generated by Bis-tridentate Iridium(III) Complexes

Four blue-emissive iridium(III) complexes bearing a 3,3'-(1,3-phenylene)bis[1-isopropyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-ylidene]-based pincer chelate, which are derived from PXn·H₃(PF₆)₂, where n = 1-4, and a cyclometalating chelate given from 9-[6-[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2λ²-pyrazol-3-yl]pyridin-2-yl]-9H-carbazole [(PzpyCz)H₂], were successfully synthesized and employed as both an emissive dopant and a sensitizer in the fabrication of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices. These functional chelates around a Ir^III atom occupied two mutually orthogonal coordination arrangements and adopted the so-called bis-tridentate architectures. Theoretical studies confirmed the dominance of the electronic transition by the pincer chelates, while the dianionic PzpyCz chelate was only acting as a spectator group. Phosphorescent OLED devices with [Ir(PX3)(PzpyCz)] (B3) as the dopant gave a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 21.93% and CIE_xy of (0.144, 0.157) and was subjected to only ∼10% of roll-off in efficiency at a high current density of 1000 cd m^-2. Blue-emissive narrow-band hyperphosphorescence was also obtained using B3 as an assistant sensitizer and ν-DABNA as a terminal emitter, giving both an improved EQE of 26.17% and CIE_xy of (0.116, 0.144), confirming efficient Förster resonance energy transfer in this hyperdevice.

Bipolar 1,8-naphthalimides showing high electron mobility and red AIE-active TADF for OLED applications

Aiming to design bipolar organic semiconductors with high electron mobility and efficient red thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), three donor-acceptor compounds were designed and synthesized selecting 1,8-naphthalimide as an acceptor and phenoxazine, 3,7-di-tert-butylphenothiazine or 2,7-di-tert-butyldimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine as donor moieties. Aggregation induced emission enhancement was detected for the compounds causing efficient TADF in the solid-state. Photoluminescence quantum yields up to 77% were observed for the films of the compounds doped in a host. The compounds exhibited small singlet-triplet splitting (0.03-0.05 eV), and high reverse intersystem crossing rates of 2.08 × 10⁵-1.13 × 10⁶ s^-1. The compounds were characterized by satisfactory hole and electron-injecting properties with ionization potentials of 5.72-5.83 eV and electron affinities of 2.79-2.91 eV. Bipolar charge transport was revealed by time of flight measurements. Electron transport with low dispersity and mobilities exceeding 2 × 10^-3 cm² V^-1 s^-1 was observed at an electric field of 4.6 × 10⁵ V cm^-1. The compounds were used as emitters in red electroluminescent devices, which showed maximum external quantum efficiencies up to 8.2%. Utilization of host-guest systems as light-emitting materials with hosts preferably transporting holes and TADF guests which preferably transport electrons allowed maximum efficiencies to be achieved at a practical brightness of 700-2200 cd m^-2. DFT calculations of the geometry, electronic structure, absorption and photoluminescence spectra of all compounds were carried out to prove the conclusions drawn from the experiment. The results of the calculations clearly show that the first excited state for all compounds is the intramolecular charge transfer state. Quantitative analysis of the separation degree of electronic density during excitation allows the observed dependence of the blue shift value in the absorption and emission spectra on the increasing polarity of the solvent to be explained.

Linear Carbene Pyridine Copper Complexes with Sterically Demanding N,N'-Bis(trityl)imidazolylidene: Syntheses, Molecular Structures, and Photophysical Properties

The sterically demanding carbene ITr (N,N'-bis(triphenylmethyl)imidazolylidene) was used as a ligand for the preparation of luminescent copper(I) complexes of the type [(ITr)Cu(R-pyridine/R'-quinoline)]BF₄ (R = H, 4-CN, 4-CHO, 2,6-NH₂, and R' = 8-Cl, 6-Me). The selective formation of linear, bis(coordinated) complexes was observed for a series of pyridine and quinoline derivatives. Only in the case of 4-cyanopyridine a one-dimensional coordination polymer was formed, in which the cyano group of the cyanopyridine ligand additionally binds to another Cu atom in a bridging manner, thus leading to a trigonal planar coordination environment. In contrast, employing sterically less demanding monotrityl-substituted carbene 3, no (NHC)Cu-pyridine complexes could be prepared. Instead, a bis-carbene complex [(3)₂Cu]PF₆ was obtained which showed no luminescence. All linear pyridine/quinoline coordinated complexes show weak emission in solution but intense blue to orange luminescence doped with 10% in PMMA films and in the solid state either from triplet excited states with unusually long lifetimes of up to 4.8 ms or via TADF with high radiative rate constants of up to 1.7 × 10⁵ s^-1 at room temperature. Combined density functional theory and multireference configuration interaction calculations have been performed to rationalize the involved photophysics of these complexes. They reveal a high density of low-lying electronic states with mixed MLCT, LLCT, and LC character where the electronic structures of the absorbing and emitting state are not necessarily identical.

Fabrication of a Solution-Processed White Light Emitting Diode Containing a Single Dimeric Copper(I) Emitter Featuring Combined TADF and Phosphorescence

Luminescent copper(I) complexes showing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) have developed to attractive emitter materials for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Here, we study the brightly luminescent dimer Cu2Cl2(P∩N)2 (P∩N = diphenylphosphanyl-6-methyl-pyridine), which shows both TADF and phosphorescence at ambient temperature. A solution-processed OLED with a device structure ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PYD2: Cu2Cl2(P∩N)2/DPEPO (10 nm)/TPBi (40 nm)/LiF (1.2 nm)/Al (100 nm) shows warm white emission with moderate external quantum efficiency (EQE). Methods for EQE increase strategies are discussed.

Unravelling the role of charge transfer state during ultrafast intersystem crossing in compact organic chromophores

When organic electron donor (D) and acceptor (A) chromophores are linked together, an electron transfer (ET) state can take place. When a short bridge such as one Sigma bond is used to link the donor and the acceptor, complete charge separation is difficult to access and one usually observes an intramolecular charge transfer (CT) state instead. Due to the inevitable coupling between the donor and the acceptor in compact organic chromophores, the most common decay pathway for the CT state is charge recombination, which may lead to a distinct longer wavelength fluorescence emission or non-radiative dissipation of the excited state energy. However, recent studies have shown that unique excited state dynamics can be observed when the CT state is involved during both forward and backward intersystem crossing (ISC) from singlet excited states to triplet excited states in organic chromophores. Analysis of the mechanism for ISC involving the CT state has received much attention over the last decade. In this perspective, we present a collection of molecular design rationales, spectroscopy and theoretical investigations that provide insights into the mechanism of the ISC involving the CT state in compact organic chromophores. We hope that this perspective will prove beneficial for researchers to design novel compact organic chromophores with a predictable ISC property for future biochemical and optoelectronic applications.

Photophysical Properties of Cyclometalated Platinum(II) Diphosphine Compounds in the Solid State and in PMMA Films

Platinum(II) compounds were synthesized with both chelate cyclometalated ligands and chelate diphosphine ligands. The cyclometalated ligands include phenylpyridine and a benzothiophene-containing ligand. The three new benzothiophene compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS), and photophysical measurements. In the case of one compound, L1-DPPM, the structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structural coherence of the noncrystalline emissive solid state was measured by X-ray total scattering real space pair distribution function analysis. Quantum yield values of all of the platinum compounds measured in the solid state and in PMMA films were much greater than in solution.

P∩N Bridged Cu(I) Dimers Featuring Both TADF and Phosphorescence. From Overview towards Detailed Case Study of the Excited Singlet and Triplet States

We present an overview over eight brightly luminescent Cu(I) dimers of the type Cu₂X₂(P∩N)₃ with X = Cl, Br, I and P∩N = 2-diphenylphosphino-pyridine (Ph₂Ppy), 2-diphenylphosphino-pyrimidine (Ph₂Ppym), 1-diphenylphosphino-isoquinoline (Ph₂Piqn) including three new crystal structures (Cu₂Br₂(Ph₂Ppy)₃ 1-Br, Cu₂I₂(Ph₂Ppym)₃ 2-I and Cu₂I₂(Ph₂Piqn)₃ 3-I). However, we mainly focus on their photo-luminescence properties. All compounds exhibit combined thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and phosphorescence at ambient temperature. Emission color, decay time and quantum yield vary over large ranges. For deeper characterization, we select Cu₂I₂(Ph₂Ppy)₃, 1-I, showing a quantum yield of 81%. DFT and SOC-TDDFT calculations provide insight into the electronic structures of the singlet S₁ and triplet T₁ states. Both stem from metal+iodide-to-ligand charge transfer transitions. Evaluation of the emission decay dynamics, measured from 1.2 ≤ T ≤ 300 K, gives ∆E(S₁-T₁) = 380 cm⁻¹ (47 meV), a transition rate of k(S₁→S₀) = 2.25 × 10⁶ s⁻¹ (445 ns), T₁ zero-field splittings, transition rates from the triplet substates and spin-lattice relaxation times. We also discuss the interplay of S₁-TADF and T₁-phosphorescence. The combined emission paths shorten the overall decay time. For OLED applications, utilization of both singlet and triplet harvesting can be highly favorable for improvement of the device performance.

Rational Tuning of Bis-Tridentate Ir(III) Phosphors to Deep-Blue with High Efficiency and Sub-microsecond Lifetime

A new class of bis-tridentate Ir(III) complexes (Dap-1-4) was synthesized using carbene pincer pro-chelates PC1·H₃(PF₆)₂ or PC2·H₃(PF₆)₂ with either imidazolylidene or imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-ylidene appendages, together with a second cyclometalating 2,6-diaryoxypyridine chelate, L1H₂ and L2H₂, differed by a NMe₂ donor at the central pyridinyl fragment. The respective emission tuning between the ultraviolet and blue region was rationalized using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approaches. Next, a highly efficient blue emitter (Dap-5) was synthesized by concomitant addition of two methyl groups and a single CF₃ substituent at the central phenyl and peripheral imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-ylidene entities of the carbene pincer chelate, respectively. The organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device with 15 wt % Dap-5 in DPEPO shows electroluminescence at 468 nm and with CIE (0.14, 0.15) and a max external quantum efficiency (max EQE) of 16.8% with low efficiency roll-off (EQE of 14.4% at 1000 cd m^-2); the latter is attributed to the relatively shortened triplet excited-state radiative lifetime. These results highlight the adequateness of bis-tridentate Ir(III) phosphors in fabrication of practical blue-emitting OLEDs.

Guest-boosted phosphorescence efficiency of a supramolecular cage

The quantum yield and emission lifetime of the inclusion complexes can be fine-tuned via the variation of halobenzene guests.

Geometrically isomeric Pt2Ag2 acetylide complexes of 2,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)pyridine: luminescent and vapochromic properties

Geometrically isomeric cis- and trans-Pt₂Ag₂ alkynyl complexes are characterized by X-ray crystallography with trans-isomers showing bright phosphorescence and interesting vaporchromic properties.

Unsymmetric Heteroleptic Ir(III) Complexes with 2-Phenylquinoline and Coumarin-Based Ligand Isomers for Tuning Character of Triplet Excited States and Achieving High Electroluminescent Efficiencies

2-Phenylquinoline (PQ) and four coumarin-based ligand isomers with ease of synthesis have been selected to construct the unsymmetric heteroleptic [Ir(C₁^∧N)(C₂^∧N)(acac)]-type complex phosphors for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Six unsymmetric heteroleptic Ir(III) complexes have been obtained by employing four coumarin-based ligand isomers (L-C5/L-C6/L-C7/L-C8) in the [Ir(PQ)(C^∧N)(acac)] structure due to two different coordinating carbon atoms in ligands L-C6 and L-C7 to form C-Ir bond. Through adopting unsymmetric heteroleptic [Ir(C₁^∧N)(C₂^∧N)(acac)] structure, these Ir(III) complexes can not only achieve impressive absolute quantum yield Φ_p (ca. 0.5-1.0), higher than that of complex [Ir(PQ)₂(acac)] (ca. 0.4), but also realize a dual modulation of both emission color from orange (AIrC6out, λ = 578 nm) to red (AIrC5, λ = 622 nm) and the character of the lowest triplet excited states (T₁), showing both ³MLCT character and ³ILCT (intraligand charge transfer) character in their T₁ states. AIrC5, AIrC7out, and AIrC7in show MLCT character from Ir(III) center to ligand L-C5 or L-C7 and ILCT character in ligand L-C5 or L-C7 in their T₁ states, while AIrC6out, AIrC6in, and AIrC8 show MLCT character from Ir(III) center to ligand PQ and ILCT character in ligand PQ in their T₁ states. Moreover, the color-tuning mechanism and the lowest triplet state characters are investigated in detail. AIrC6in and AIrC8 were selected as emitters to evaluate the electroluminescent (EL) performance due to their high Φ_P of nearly up to unity. Optimal orange-emitting device B2 based on AIrC8 can give a maximum external quantum efficiency (η_ext) of 23.9%, a maximum current efficiency (η_L) of 70.9 cd A^-1, and a maximum power efficiency (η_P) of 60.7 lm W^-1. All these impressive results can definitely demonstrate the effectiveness of our simple approach for tuning character of the triplet excited states and achieving high-performance Ir-based phosphors in OLEDs.

Molecular-Level Insight of Cu(I) Complexes with the 7,8-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate Ligand as a Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitter: Luminescent Mechanism and Design Strategy

Investigation of the clear structure-property relationship and microscopic mechanism of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters with high emission quantum yield is a direction worthy of continuous efforts. The instructive theoretical principle of TADF material design is critical and challenging. Here, we carried out theoretical calculation on two experimental Cu(I) complexes with the same 7,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate (dppnc) but different N^N ligands [dmbpy = 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (1) or dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2)] to briefly elaborate the structure-TADF performance relationship and luminescence mechanism. It was found that enhanced rigidity by the fused benzene ring between two pyridyl units in complex 2 leads to (i) higher allowedness of S₁ → S₀, (ii) more effective reverse intersystem crossing (RISC), and (iii) better relative stability of the T₁ state, which could be responsible for its excellent TADF behavior. Thus, a strategy of extending π conjugation in the N^N ligand could be deduced to further enhance the quantum yield. We validated it and have succeeded in designing analogue complex 4 by extending π conjugation with an electron-withdrawing pyrazinyl. Benefiting from the smaller energy gap (ΔE_ST) and plunged reorganization energy between the S₁ and T₁ states, the rate of RISC in complex 4 (1.05 × 10⁸ s^-1) increased 2 orders of magnitude relative to that of 2 (5.80 × 10⁶ s^-1), showing more superiority of the TADF behavior through a better balance of RISC, fluorescence, and phosphorescence decay. Meanwhile, the thermally activated temperature of 4 is only 165 K, implying that there is a low-energy barrier. All of these indicate that the designed complex 4 may be a potential TADF candidate.

Cu(I) Complexes of Multidentate N,C,N- and P,C,P-Carbodiphosphorane Ligands and Their Photoluminescence

A series of dinuclear copper(I) N,C,N- and P,C,P-carbodiphosphorane (CDP) complexes using multidentate ligands CDP(Py)2 (1) and (CDP(CH2PPh2)2 (13) have been isolated and characterized. Detailed structural information was gained by single-crystal XRD analyses of nine representative examples. The common structural motive is the central double ylidic carbon atom with its characteristic two lone pairs involved in the binding of two geminal L-Cu(I) fragments at Cu-Cu distances in the range 2.55-2.67 Å. In order to enhance conformational rigidity within the characteristic Cu-C-Cu triangle, two types of chelating side arms were symmetrically attached to each phosphorus atom: two 2-pyridyl functions in ligand CDP(Py)2 (1) and its dinuclear copper complexes 2-9 and 11, as well as two diphenylphosphinomethylene functions in ligand CDP(CH2PPh2)2 (13) and its di- and mononuclear complexes 14-18. Neutral complexes were typically obtained via the reaction of 1 with Cu(I) species CuCl, CuI, and CuSPh or via the salt elimination reaction of [(CuCl)2(CDP(Py)2] (2) with sodium carbazolate. Cationic Cu(I) complexes were prepared upon treating 1 with two equivalents of [Cu(NCMe)4]PF6, followed by the addition of either two equivalents of an aryl phosphine (PPh3, P(C6H4OMe)3) or one equivalent of bisphosphine ligands bis[(2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl] ether (DPEPhos), 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene (XantPhos), or 1,1'-bis(diphenyl-phosphino) ferrocene (dppf). For the first time, carbodiphosphorane CDP(CH2PPh2)2 (13) could be isolated upon treating its precursor [CH(dppm)2]Cl (12) with NaNH2 in liquid NH3. A protonated and a deprotonated derivative of ligand 13 were prepared, and their coordination was compared to neutral CDP ligand 13. NMR analysis and DFT calculations reveal that the most stable tautomer of 13 does not show a CDP (or carbone) structure in its uncoordinated base form. For most of the prepared complexes, photoluminescence upon irradiation with UV light at room temperature was observed. Quantum yields (ΦPL) were determined to be 36% for dicationic [(CuPPh3)2(CDP(Py)2)](PF6)2 (4) and 60% for neutral [(CuSPh)2(CDP(CH2PPh2)2] (16).

Photoluminescent properties and molecular structures of dinuclear gold(i) complexes with bridged diphosphine ligands: near-unity phosphorescence from 3XMMCT/3MC

Dinuclear gold(i) complexes with bridged diphosphine ligands display near-unity phosphorescence in the crystalline state at room-temperature.

Unusually Fast Phosphorescence from Ir(III) Complexes via Dinuclear Molecular Design

The design and detailed photophysical study of two novel Ir(III) complexes featuring mono- and dinuclear design are presented. Emission quantum yield and decay times in solution are Φ_PL = 90% and τ(300 K) = 1.16 μs for the mononuclear complex 5, and Φ_PL = 95% and τ(300 K) = 0.44 μs for the dinuclear complex 6. These data indicate an almost 3-fold increase in the phosphorescence rate for dinuclear complex 6 compared to 5. Zero-field splitting (ZFS) of the T₁ state also increases from ZFS = 65 cm^-1 for the mononuclear complex to ZFS = 205 cm^-1 for the dinuclear complex and is accompanied by a drastic shortening of the individual decay times of T₁ substates. With the help of TD-DFT calculations, we rationalize that the drastic changes in the T₁ state properties in the dinuclear complex originate from an increased number of excited states available for direct spin-orbit coupling (SOC) routes as a result of electronic coupling of Ir-Cl antibonding molecular orbitals of the two coordination sites.

Realization of high-efficiency fluorescent organic light-emitting diodes with low driving voltage

It is commonly accepted that a full bandgap voltage is required to achieving efficient electroluminescence (EL) in organic light-emitting diodes. In this work, we demonstrated organic molecules with a large singlet-triplet splitting can achieve efficient EL at voltages below the bandgap voltage. The EL originates from delayed fluorescence due to triplet fusion. Finally, in spite of a lower quantum efficiency, a blue fluorescent organic light-emitting diode having a power efficiency higher than some of the best thermally activated delayed fluorescent and phosphorescent blue organic light-emitting diodes is demonstrated. The current findings suggest that leveraging triplet fusion from purely organic molecules in organic light-emitting diode materials offers an alternative route to achieve stable and high efficiency blue organic light-emitting diodes.

Though organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with electroluminescence at sub-bandgap voltages have been reported, realizing high efficiency in such a device is difficult. Here, the authors report high efficiency sub-bandgap OLEDs featuring organic molecules with large singlet-triplet splitting.

Multiresponsive Tetradentate Phosphorescent Metal Complexes as Highly Sensitive and Robust Luminescent Oxygen Sensors: Pd(II) Versus Pt(II) and 1,2,3-Triazolyl Versus 1,2,4-Triazolyl

Two Pd(II) complexes based on tetradentate chelate ligands with either a 1,2,4-triazolyl (Pd1) or 1,2,3-triazolyl (Pd2) unit were synthesized, and their structure-property relationships were studied. Both Pd1 and Pd2 are rare bright deep blue Pd(II) phosphors with contrasting properties. Pd1 displays stimuli-responsive luminescence in response to UV irradiation, concentration, or temperature change, which is ascribed to the facile switching of monomer to excimer emission. In contrast, a similar stimuli-responsive luminescence was not observed for Pd2. Crystal structures and time-dependent density functional theory computational studies established that the excimer formation of Pd1 is caused by electronically favored intermolecular π-π interactions and less steric protection of the Pd core because of the position of its alkyl chains, compared to Pd2. In solution, the excimer emission of Pd1 shows a much greater sensitivity toward oxygen than the monomer emission with a very large Stern-Volmer constant ( K_sv) that is more than twice that of the monomer emission. Both Pd(II) complexes are found to be outstanding oxygen sensors in ethyl cellulose films with superior sensitivity ( K_sv^app = 0.228-0.346 Torr^-1) over their Pt(II) equivalents ( K_sv^app = 0.00674-0.0110 Torr^-1), owing to their long phosphorescence decay lifetimes. Furthermore, Pd1 shows an excellent photostability, compared to the Pt(II) analogue, making it one of the best and highly robust oxygen sensors based on cyclometalated metal complexes.

Polynuclear Cu(i) and Ag(i) phosphine complexes containing multi-dentate polytopic ligands: syntheses, crystal structures and photoluminescence properties

A series of polynuclear metal complexes, [Cu2(L1)(PPh3)4](ClO4)2 (1), [Cu3(L2)(PPh3)6](ClO4) (2), [Cu3(L3)(PPh3)6] (3), [Ag2(L1)(PPh3)4](BF4)2 (4), [Ag4(L2)2(PPh3)6] (5) and [Ag3(L3)(PPh3)5] (6), have been obtained from the reactions of the highly conjugated bridging ligands 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (L1), 2,3-bis(2-tetrazoyl)pyrazine (H2L2) and 2,3-bis(2-tetrazoyl)imidazole (H3L3) with [Cu(MeCN)4]ClO4 and AgBF4, respectively. Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography and their photophysical properties have been investigated in detail. Complexes 1 and 3 show photoluminescence in CH2Cl2 solution, while all the complexes exhibit obvious luminescence in the solid state; detailed photophysical studies and density functional theory calculations of these complexes have revealed that their lowest energy absorptions and emissions are predominantly derived from either metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) or intraligand (IL) excited states.

Sky-blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) based on Ag(i) complexes: strong solvation-induced emission enhancement

Remarkable solvation-induced emission enhancement is discovered on a new Ag(i) complex showing sky-blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF).

Theoretical investigation of the electronic structure and photophysical properties of a series of Ir(iii) complexes bearing pentafluorosulfanyl groups

The electronic structure, absorption and emission spectra, charge injection/transport ability and phosphorescence quantum efficiency of a series of cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes with different ancillary ligands are studied using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods.

Photophysical properties of structural isomers of homoleptic Ir-complexes derived from xylenyl-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

The xylenyl substituent causes a structural distortion in the excited triplet state, which is the most influential deactivation pathway to reduce the emission intensity.

Deep blue emitting Cu(i) tripod complexes. Design of high quantum yield materials showing TADF-assisted phosphorescence

In a previous investigation, it was shown that [Cu(tpym)(PPh₃)]PF₆1 with tpym = tris(2-pyridyl)methane represents a deep blue emitter (λ_max = 466 nm) though with a low emission quantum yield Φ_PL if doped in a polymer (7%) or dissolved in a fluid solvent (≪1%). In this study, we present new tripod compounds with sterically demanding ligands: [Cu(tpym)(P(o-tol)₃)]PF₆2 and [Cu(tpym)(P(o-butyl-ph)₃)]PF₆3 with P(o-tol)₃ = tris(ortho-tolyl)phosphine and P(o-butyl-ph)₃ = tris(ortho-n-butylphenyl)phosphine. These compounds show high emission quantum yields even in a fluid solution (dichloromethane) reaching a benchmark value for 3 of Φ_PL = 76%. This becomes possible due to the specific design of rigidifying the complexes. Importantly, the deep blue emission color is maintained or even further blue shifted to λ_max = 452 nm (compound 3 powder). Compound 2 is characterized photophysically in detail. In particular, it is shown that the lowest excited triplet state T₁ experiences very efficient spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Accordingly, the phosphorescence decay rate is as large as 5 × 10⁴ s^-1 (20 μs) belonging to the fastest T₁→ S₀ transition values (shortest decay times) reported so far. Investigations down to T = 1.5 K reveal a large total zero-field splitting (ZFS) of 7 cm^-1 (0.9 meV). Although thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) grows in at T≥ 160 K, the phosphorescence of 2 still dominates (60%) over TADF (40%) at ambient temperature. Thus, the compound represents a singlet harvesting-plus-triplet harvesting material, if applied in an OLED.

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 %.

Surface hopping dynamics including intersystem crossing using the algebraic diagrammatic construction method

We report an implementation for employing the algebraic diagrammatic construction to second order [ADC(2)] ab initio electronic structure level of theory in nonadiabatic dynamics simulations in the framework of the SHARC (surface hopping including arbitrary couplings) dynamics method. The implementation is intended to enable computationally efficient, reliable, and easy-to-use nonadiabatic dynamics simulations of intersystem crossing in organic molecules. The methodology is evaluated for the 2-thiouracil molecule. It is shown that ADC(2) yields reliable excited-state energies, wave functions, and spin-orbit coupling terms for this molecule. Dynamics simulations are compared to previously reported results using high-level multi-state complete active space perturbation theory, showing favorable agreement.

Dinuclear Cu(I) Complex with Combined Bright TADF and Phosphorescence. Zero-Field Splitting and Spin-Lattice Relaxation Effects of the Triplet State

The three-fold bridged dinuclear Cu(I) complex Cu₂(μ-I)₂(1 N- n-butyl-5-diphenyl-phosphino-1,2,4-triazole)₃, Cu₂I₂(P^N)₃, shows bright thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) as well as phosphorescence at ambient temperature with a total quantum yield of 85% at an emission decay time of 7 μs. The singlet (S₁)-triplet (T₁) energy gap is as small as only 430 cm^-1 (53 meV). Spin-orbit coupling induces a short-lived phosphorescence with a decay time of 52 μs ( T = 77 K) and a distinct zero-field splitting (ZFS) of T₁ into substates by ∼2.5 cm^-1 (0.3 meV). Below T ≈ 10 K, effects of spin-lattice relaxation (SLR) are observed and agree with the size of ZFS. According to the combined phosphorescence and TADF, the overall emission decay time is reduced by ∼13% as compared to the TADF-only process. The compound may potentially be applied in solution-processed OLEDs, exploiting both the singlet and triplet harvesting mechanisms.

Probing Triplet Excited States and Managing Blue Light Emission of Neutral Tetradentate Platinum(II) Complexes

The structural and photophysical properties of tetradentate Pt(ppzOppz), Pt(ppzOpopy), Pt(ppzOczpy), and Pt(czpyOczpy) have been experimentally and theoretically explored. Single-crystal diffraction measurements provided accurate structural information. Electrochemical and photophysical characterizations revealed internal electronic energy levels in ground and excited states. (Time-dependent) Density functional theory calculation revealed electron distributions in transition processes of S₀ → S₁ and S₁ → T₁ → S₀. Electronic transition study indicated that Pt(ppzOppz) demonstrated mixed MLCT/LC states and Pt(czpyOczpy) showed MLCT-dominated states in S₁ and T₁. Both Pt(ppzOpopy) and Pt(ppzOczpy) presented strong delocalized spin transition (DST) during intersystem crossing. Upon frame modification of Pt(ppzOczpy), we found that their S₁ and T₁ can be independently manipulated. These blue emitters showed a tunable and narrow emission band (the narrowest fwhm was 19 nm) with luminescence efficiency as high as 86%. The findings of the DST transition mode in the neutral Pt(II) complexes provide guidance for rational design of novel phosphorescent materials.

Dinuclear Ag(I) Complex Designed for Highly Efficient Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence

The dinuclear Ag(I) complex has been designed to show thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) of high efficiency. Strongly electron-donating terminal ligands are introduced to destabilize the d orbitals of the Ag⁺ ions. Consequently, the orbitals distinctly contribute to the HOMO, whereas the LUMO is localized on the bridging ligand. This ensures charge transfer character of the lowest excited singlet S₁ and triplet T₁ states. Accordingly, a small energy gap ΔE(S₁-T₁) is obtained, being essential for TADF behavior. Photophysical investigations show that at ambient temperature the complex exhibits TADF reaching a quantum yield of Φ_PL = 70% with the decay time of only τ = 1.9 μs, manifesting one of the fastest TADF decays observed so far. Such an outstanding TADF efficiency is based on a small value of ΔE(S₁-T₁) = 480 cm^-1 combined with a large transition rate of k(S₁ → S₀) = 2.2 × 10⁷ s^-1.