Thiazol-2-thiolate-Bridged Binuclear Platinum(II) Complexes with High Photoluminescence Quantum Efficiencies of up to Near Unity

Phosphorescent PdII-PdII Emitter-Based Red OLEDs with an EQEmax of 20.52

Three dinuclear Pd(II) complexes (1, 2, and 3) with intense red phosphorescence at room temperature are here synthesized using strong ligand field strength compounds. All three complexes are characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses. Complexes 2 and 3 are characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystalline data of 2 and 3 reveal complex double-layer structures, with Pd-Pd distances of 2.8690(9) Å and 2.8584(17) Å, respectively. Furthermore, complexes 1, 2, and 3 show phosphorescence at room temperature in their solid states at the wavelengths of 678, 601, and 672 nm, respectively. In addition, they show phosphorescence at 634, 635, and 582 nm, respectively, in the 2 wt.% (PMMA) films, and phosphorescence at 670, 675, and 589 nm, respectively, in the deoxygenated CH2Cl2 solutions. Among three complexes, complex 1 shows red emission at 634 nm with phosphorescent quantum yield Ф = 67% in the 2 wt.% PMMA film. Furthermore, complex 1-based organic light-emitting diode is fabricated using a vapor-phase deposition process, and their maximum external quantum efficiency reaches 20.52%, which is the highest percentage obtained by using the dinuclear Pd(II) complex triplet emitters with the CIE coordinates of (0.62, 0.38).

N,C,N-Pincers in Platinum Bimetallic Complexes: Influence of the Pincer and Bridging Ligands on the Metal-Metal Bond and the Photophysical Properties

Precursors PtCl{κ3-N,C,N-[py-C6HMe2-py]} (1), PtCl{κ3-N,C,N-[py-O-C6H3-O-py]} (2), Pt(OH){κ3-N,C,N-[py-C6HMe2-py]} (3), and Pt(OH){κ3-N,C,N-[py-O-C6H3-O-py]} (4) were used to prepare d8-platinum bimetallic complexes. Precursors 1 and 2 react with AgBF4 and 7-azaindole (Haz) to give [Pt{κ3-N,C,N-[py-C6HMe2-py]}{κ1-N-[Haz]}]BF4 (5) and [Pt{κ3-N,C,N-[py-O-C6H3-O-py]}{κ1-N-[Haz]}]BF4 (6) and 3 and 4 with indolo[2,3-b]indole (H2ii) to generate Pt{κ1-N-[Hii]}{κ3-N,C,N-[py-C6HMe2-py]} (7) and Pt{κ1-N-[Hii]}{κ3-N,C,N-[py-O-C6H3-O-py]} (8). Subsequent addition of 3 and 4 to 5-7 affords bimetallic derivatives [{Pt[κ3-N,C,N-(py-C6HMe2-py)]}2{μ-N,N-[az]}]BF4 (9), [{Pt[κ3-N,C,N-(py-O-C6H3-O-py)]}2{μ-N,N-[az]}]BF4 (10), and {Pt[κ3-N,C,N-(py-C6HMe2-py)]}2{μ-N,N-[ii]} (11). X-ray structures of 9-11 reveal separations between the metals in sequence 9 (3.0515(4) Å) < 10 (3.2689(9) Å) < 11 (3.2949(2) Å). DFT calculations support σ overlap of the dz2 orbitals of platinum atoms, for 9 and 10. Accordingly, their absorption spectra show a MMLCT transition. Complex 9 is a red emitter. The excited state has 3MMLCT characteristics and a Pt-Pt separation of 2.763 Å. Complex 11 is a dual emitter in the red and NIR regions, in solid. Both excited states have a 3LC/LMCT characteristic and platinum-platinum separations of 3.290 and 3.202 Å. Intermediate 5 is a green emitter that achieves quantum yields close to unity, when diluted in PMMA and 1,2-dichloroethane at low concentrations.

NIR-II Emission from Cyclometalated Dinuclear Pt(III) Complexes

Half-lantern Pt(II) dinuclear complexes [{Pt(C∧Npz)(μ-S∧NR)}2] (HC∧Npz = 1-naphthalen-2-yl-1H-pyrazole; R = H, HS∧N: 2-mercaptopyrimidine 1; R = CF3, HS∧NF: 4-(trifluoromethyl)-2-mercaptopyrimidine 2) were selectively obtained as single isomers with the C∧N groups in an anti-arrangement and rather short metallophilic interactions (dPt-Pt = 2.8684(2) Å for 2). They reacted with haloforms in the air and sunlight to obtain the corresponding oxidized diplatinum(III) derivatives [{Pt(C∧Npz)(μ-S∧NR)X}2] (X = Cl (1-Cl), Br (1-Br), I (1-I, 2-I)). The single-crystal X-ray structures exhibit Pt-Pt distances typical for the existence of a metal-metal bond, which evidence fairly well the influence of the axial ligand (X). The reactions of 1 and 2 with CHI3 in the dark afforded mixtures of [IPt(C∧Npz)(μ-S∧N)2Pt(C∧Npz)CHI2] and 1-I or 2-I, with the former being the major species under an Ar atmosphere, while the reactions of 1 with CHBr3 and CHCl3 need light to occur. These Pt2(III,III) complexes display low-energy absorptions and emissions that strongly depend on the axial ligand. In the solid state, they show a broad NIR emission ranging from 985 to 1070 nm at RT that suffers a hypsochromic shift when cooling down to 77 K. The photoemissive behavior of the dinuclear Pt(II) and Pt(III) systems is disclosed with the aid of density functional theory calculations.

Phenylbenzothiazole-Based Platinum(II) and Diplatinum(II) and (III) Complexes with Pyrazolate Groups: Optical Properties and Photocatalysis

Based on 2-phenylbenzothiazole (pbt) and 2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)benzothiazole (Me2N-pbt), mononuclear [Pt(pbt)(R'2-pzH)2]PF6 (R'2-pzH = pzH 1a, 3,5-Me2pzH 1b, 3,5-iPr2pzH 1c) and diplatinum (PtII-PtII) [Pt(pbt)(μ-R'2pz)]2 (R'2-pz = pz 2a, 3,5-Me2pz 2b, 3,5-iPr2pz 2c) and [Pt(Me2N-pbt)(μ-pz)]2 (3a) complexes have been prepared. In the presence of sunlight, 2a and 3a evolve, in CHCl3 solution, to form the PtIII-PtIII complexes [Pt(R-pbt)(μ-pz)Cl]2 (R = H 4a, NMe2 5a). Experimental and computational studies reveal the negligible influence of the pyrazole or pyrazolate ligands on the optical properties of 1a-c and 2a,b, which exhibit a typical 3IL/3MLCT emission, whereas in 2c the emission has some 3MMLCT contribution. 3a displays unusual dual, fluorescence (1ILCT or 1MLCT/1LC), and phosphorescence (3ILCT) emissions depending on the excitation wavelength. The phosphorescence is lost in aerated solutions due to sensitization of 3O2 and formation of 1O2, whose determined quantum yield is also wavelength dependent. The phosphorescence can be reversibly photoinduced (365 nm, ∼ 15 min) in oxygenated THF and DMSO solutions. In 4a and 5a, the lowest electronic transitions (S1-S3) have mixed characters (LMMCT/LXCT/L'XCT 4a and LMMCT/LXCT/ILCT 5a) and they are weakly emissive in rigid media. The 1O2 generation property of complex 3a is successfully used for the photooxidation of p-bromothioanisol showing its potential application toward photocatalysis.

Molecularly Engineered Room-Temperature Phosphorescence for Biomedical Application: From the Visible toward Second Near-Infrared Window

Phosphorescence, characterized by luminescent lifetimes significantly longer than that of biological autofluorescence under ambient environment, is of great value for biomedical applications. Academic evidence of fluorescence imaging indicates that virtually all imaging metrics (sensitivity, resolution, and penetration depths) are improved when progressing into longer wavelength regions, especially the recently reported second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window. Although the emission wavelength of probes does matter, it is not clear whether the guideline of "the longer the wavelength, the better the imaging effect" is still suitable for developing phosphorescent probes. For tissue-specific bioimaging, long-lived probes, even if they emit visible phosphorescence, enable accurate visualization of large deep tissues. For studies dealing with bioimaging of tiny biological architectures or dynamic physiopathological activities, the prerequisite is rigorous planning of long-wavelength phosphorescence, being aware of the cooperative contribution of long wavelengths and long lifetimes for improving the spatiotemporal resolution, penetration depth, and sensitivity of bioimaging. In this Review, emerging molecular engineering methods of room-temperature phosphorescence are discussed through the lens of photophysical mechanisms. We highlight the roles of phosphorescence with emission from visible to NIR-II windows toward bioapplications. To appreciate such advances, challenges and prospects in rapidly growing studies of room-temperature phosphorescence are described.

Reblooming of the cis-Bis(2-phenylpyridine) Platinum(II) Complex: Synthesis Updating, Aggregation-Induced Emission, Electroluminescence, and Cell Imaging

Studies on the syntheses, photophysical properties, and applications of cis-bis(2-phenylpyridine) platinum(II) complex (Pt(ppy)2) family are of great importance, but very limited progress has been achieved to date. Herein, a one-pot method was established for the syntheses of Pt(ppy)2-type complexes Pt-ppy and Pt-tBu. These two compounds were nonemissive in dilute solutions. However, they produced intense red and deep-red phosphorescence in the aggregation and film states, with lifetimes and quantum yields up to 1.92 μs and 70%, respectively, exhibiting unique aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics. According to the experimental and theoretical studies, molecular configuration transformation (MCT) in the excited state may occur because of the d-d transition from the Pt center, causing nonradiative transitions in the solution. Nevertheless, the MCT would be largely restricted by the intermolecular interactions or rigid matrix, thereby enabling efficient phosphorescence in the aggregation state and in the PMMA films. Consequently, the AIE characteristics of Pt-ppy and Pt-tBu probably result from the restriction of molecular configuration transformation (RMCT). Due to the π-π and/or weak Pt-Pt interactions and the concentration-dependent emission characteristics, they emit deep-red and NIR emissions generated by excimer and/or MMLCT emitting species. Inspired by their AIE features, electroluminescence and cell imaging applications are explored. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study on the synthesis optimization, photophysical properties, AIE characteristics, and applications of the Pt(ppy)2-type complexes, which may rebloom the research studies on this type of Pt(II) complex family and provide valuable insights on the development of phosphorescent AIE metal-organic complexes.

Discrete Mononuclear Platinum(II) Complexes Realize High-Performance Red Phosphorescent OLEDs with EQEs of up to 31.8% and Superb Device Stability

Designing mononuclear platinum(II) complexes that do not rely on intermolecular aggregation for high-performance red organic light-emitting diodes remains a formidable challenge. In this work, three robust red-emitting Pt(II) complexes are created by utilizing a rigid 4-coordination configuration, where the ligands are formed by linking electron-donor of triphenylamine (TPA) moieties with electron-acceptor of pyridine, isoquinoline, and/or δ-carboline units. The thermal stability, electrochemical, and photophysical properties of the complexes are thoroughly examined. The complexes display efficient red phosphorescence, with high photoluminescence quantum yields and short excited lifetimes. The OLEDs dope with these complexes exhibit high maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of up to 31.8% with minimal efficiency roll-off even at high brightness. Significantly, the devices demonstrate exceptional long operational lifetime, with a T90 lifetime of over 14000 h at initial luminance of 1000 cd m-2 , indicating the potential for these complexes to be practically utilizes.

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*).

Metal-Metal-to-Ligand Charge Transfer in Pt(II) Dimers Bridged by Pyridyl and Quinoline Thiols

The investigation of two distinct species of square planar dinuclear Pt(II) dimers based on anti-[Pt(C^∧N)(μ-N^∧S)]₂, where C^∧N is either 2-phenylpyridine (ppy) or benzo(h)quinoline (bzq) and N^∧S is pyridine-2-thiol (pyt), 6-methylpyridine-2-thiol (Mpyt), or 2-quinolinethiol (2QT), is presented. Each molecule was thoroughly characterized with electronic structure calculations, static UV-vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry, along with transient absorbance and time-gated PL experiments. These visible absorbing chromophores feature metal-metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MMLCT) excited states that originate from intramolecular d⁸-d⁸ metal-metal σ-interactions and are manifested in the ground- and excited-state properties of these molecules. All five molecules reported (anti-[Pt(ppy)(μ-Mpyt)]₂ could not be isolated), three of which are newly conceived here, possess electronic absorptions past 500 nm and high quantum yield PL emission with spectra extending into the far red (λ_em > 700 nm), originating from the charge-transfer state in each instance. Each chromophore displays excited-state decay kinetics adequately modeled by single exponentials as recorded using dynamic absorption and PL experiments; each technique yields similar decay kinetics. The combined data illustrate that pyridyl and quinoline-thiolates in conjunction with select cyclometalates represent classes of MMLCT chromophores that exhibit excited-state properties suitable for promoting light-energized chemical reactions and provide a molecular platform suitable for evaluating coherence phenomena in transient metal-metal bond-forming photochemistry.

General Design Rules for Bimetallic Platinum(II) Complexes

A series of platinum(II) bimetallic complexes were studied to investigate the effects of ligands on both the geometric and electronic structure. Modulating the Pt-Pt distance through the bridging ligand architecture was found to dictate the nature of the lowest energy electronic transitions, localized in one-half of the molecule or delocalized across the entire molecule. By reducing the separation between the platinum atoms, the lowest energy electronic transitions will be dominated by the metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer transition. Conversely, by increasing the distance between the platinum atoms, the lowest electronic transition will be largely localized metal-to-ligand charge transfer or ligand centered in nature. Additionally, the cyclometalating ligands were observed to have a noticeable stabilizing effect on the triplet excited states as the conjugation increased, arising from geometric reorientation and increased electron delocalization of the ligands. Such stabilization of the triplet state energy has been shown to alter the excited state potential energy landscape as well as the excited state trajectory.

Rigid Bridge-Confined Double-Decker Platinum(II) Complexes Towards High-Performance Red and Near-Infrared Electroluminescence

A molecular design to high-performance red and near-infrared (NIR) organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) emitters remains demanding. Herein a series of dinuclear platinum(II) complexes featuring strong intramolecular Pt⋅⋅⋅Pt and π-π interactions has been developed by using N-deprotonated α-carboline as a bridging ligand. The complexes in doped thin films exhibit efficient red to NIR emission from short-lived (τ=0.9-2.1 μs) triplet metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer (³ MMLCT) excited states. Red OLEDs demonstrate high maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of up to 23.3 % among the best Pt^II -complex-doped devices. The maximum EQE of 15.0 % and radiance of 285 W sr^-1  m^-2 for NIR OLEDs (λ_EL =725 nm) are unprecedented for devices based on discrete molecular emitters. Both red and NIR devices show very small efficiency roll-off at high brightness. Appealing operational lifetimes have also been revealed for the devices. This work sheds light on the potential of intramolecular metallophilicity for long-wavelength molecular emitters and electroluminescence.

High Performance Near-Infrared Emitters with Methylated Triphenylamine and Thiadiazolo[3,4-g]quinoxaline-Based Fluorophores

Three near-infrared emitters (2TPA-QBT, 2MeTPA-BT and TPA-QBT-MeTPA) were rationally designed and synthesized. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations showed that the introduction of mono- or di-methyl groups between the donors and acceptor could result in the spatial configuration changing greatly for 2MeTPA-QBT and TPA-QBT-MeTPA compared to their parent compound 2TPA-QBT. The emission of TPA-QBT-MeTPA had a more obvious hybridized local and charge transfer feature (HLCT) based on the influence of the steric hindrance of the methyl substituent. Attributed to their different spatial configurations and luminescence mechanisms, different emission wavelengths with photoluminescent quantum yields of 26%, 38% and 34% in toluene, as well as 24%, 27% and 31% in 4,4'-bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1'-biphenyl (CBP) doped film, were observed for 2TPA-QBT, 2MeTPA-QBT and TPA-QBT-MeTPA, respectively. The constructed organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) displayed electroluminescence with emission peaks at 728, 693 and 710 nm, with maximum external quantum efficiencies of 1.58%, 1.33% and 3.02% for the 2TPA-QBT, 2MeTPA-QBT and TPA-QBT-MeTPA-doped OLEDs, respectively. This work illustrated the effect of spatial configuration changes on the luminescence properties of donor-acceptor-type organic emitters.

Developing Efficient Dinuclear Pt(II) Complexes Based on the Triphenylamine Core for High-Efficiency Solution-Processed OLEDs

The various applications of dinuclear complexes have attracted increasing attention. However, the electroluminescence efficiencies of dinuclear Pt(II) complexes are far from satisfactory. Herein, based on the triphenylamine core, we develop four dinuclear Pt(II) complexes that cover the emission colors from yellow to red with high photoluminescence quantum efficiencies of up to 0.79 in doped films. The solid-state structure of PyDPt is revealed by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction investigation. Besides, solution-processed OLEDs have been fabricated with different electron transport materials. With higher electron mobility and excellent hole-blocking ability, 1,3,5-tri(m-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)benzene (TmPyPB) can help to realize good charge balance in related OLEDs. In addition, angle-dependent PL spectra reveal the preferentially horizontal orientation of these dinuclear Pt(II) complexes in doped CBP films, which benefits the outcoupling efficiencies. Therefore, the yellow OLED based on PyDPt shows unexpected high performance with a peak current efficiency of up to 78.7 cd/A and an external quantum efficiency of up to 22.4%, which is the highest EQE reported for OLEDs based on dinuclear Pt(II) complexes so far. This study demonstrates the great potential of developing dinuclear Pt(II) complexes for achieving excellent electroluminescence efficiencies.

A Carbazole-Bridged Biscyclometalated Diplatinum Complex: Synthesis, Characterization, and Dual-Mode Aggregation-Enhanced Phosphorescence

A cationic carbazole-bridged biscyclometalated diplatinum complex 4 has been synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray analysis demonstrates that complex 4 displays a dimeric structure with noncovalent π-π stacking and unique double Pt-Pt interactions. In aerated dilute CH₃CN, complex 4 is characterized by a very weak monomeric yellow emission (λ_emi = 547 nm; Φ = 0.51%), which is attributed to the triplet intraligand (³LC) excited state mixing with some charge transfer characters. In contrast, under aerated conditions, the dispersion of 4 in a mixed solvent of CH₃CN/Et₂O (1/9, v/v) or CH₃CN/H₂O (1/9, v/v) displays intense yellow (λ_emi = 550 nm; Φ = 35.5%; τ = 11.10 μs) and red emission (λ_emi = 635 nm; Φ = 14.1%; τ = 7.00 μs), respectively. These aggregation-induced phosphorescent emission enhancements are considered being caused by the oxygen-shielding effect and the molecular rigidification-induced decrease of nonradiative decays in the aggregate state. The morphology and size of the aggregates under these two conditions are examined by scanning electron microscope and dynamic light scattering analysis. The absorption and emission properties of 4 are further rationalized by time-dependent density functional theory calculations on a model compound.

The impact of cyclometalated and phosphine ligands on the luminescence properties of cycloplatinated(ii) complexes: photophysical and theoretical investigations

The effects of various C^N cyclometalated and phosphine ligands on the photophysical properties of cycloplatinated(ii) complexes were investigated experimentally and theoretically.