Intramolecular π-Stacking in a Phenylpyrazole-Based Iridium Complex and Its Use in Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells

Leveraging Intramolecular π-Stacking to Access an Exceptionally Long-Lived 3MC Excited State in an Fe(II) Carbene Complex

The ability to manipulate excited-state decay cascades using molecular structure is essential to the application of abundant-metal photosensitizers and chromophores. Ligand design has yielded some spectacular results elongating charge-transfer excited state lifetimes of Fe(II) coordination complexes, but triplet metal-centered (3MC) excited states─recently demonstrated to be critical to the photoactivity of isoelectronic Co(III) polypyridyls─have to date remained elusive, with temporally isolable examples limited to the picosecond regime. With this report, we show how strong-field donors and intramolecular π-stacking can conspire to stabilize a long-lived 3MC excited state for a remarkable 4.1 ± 0.3 ns in fluid solution at ambient temperature. Analysis of variable-temperature time-resolved absorption data using theoretical models ranging from Arrhenius to semiclassical Marcus theory, combined with computational modeling and X-ray crystallography, reveal a Jahn-Teller stabilized excited state with a high activation barrier for ground-state recovery. The net result is a chromophore with a 3MC excited-state lifetime that is orders of magnitude longer than anything yet observed for an Fe(II) complex.

Designing one-compartment H2O2 fuel cell using electroactive phenalenyl-based [Fe2(hnmh-PLY)3] complex as the cathode material

The sustainable chemical energy of H2O2 as a fuel and an oxidant in an advantageous single-compartment fuel cell design can be converted into electric energy, which requires molecular engineering to design suitable cathodes for lowering the high overpotential associated with H2O2 reduction. The present work covers the synthesis and structural characterization of a novel cathode material, [FeIII2(hnmh-PLY)3] complex, 1, designed from a PLY-derived Schiff base ligand (E)-9-(2-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)hydrazineyl)-1H-phenalen-1-one, hnmh-PLYH2. Complex 1, when coated on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GC-1) significantly catalyzed the reduction of H2O2 in an acidic medium. Therefore, a complex 1 modified glassy carbon electrode was employed in a one-compartment H2O2 fuel cell operated in 0.1 M HCl with Ni foam as the corresponding anode to produce a high open circuit potential (OCP) of 0.65 V and a peak power density (PPD) of 2.84 mW cm-2. CV studies of complex 1 revealed the crucial participation of two Fe(III) centers for initiating H2O2 reduction, and the role of coordinated redox-active PLY units is also highlighted. In the solid state, the π-conjugated network of coordinating (hnmh-PLY) ligands in complex 1 has manifested interesting face-to-face π-π stacking interactions, which have helped the reduction of the complex and facilitated the overall catalytic performance.

Using a diphenyl-bi-(1,2,4-triazole) tricarbonylrhenium(I) complex with intramolecular π-π stacking interaction for efficient solid-state luminescence enhancement

Since intramolecular π-π stacking interactions can modify the geometry, crystal packing mode, or even the electronic properties of transition metal complexes, they are also likely to influence the solid-state luminescence properties. Following this concept, a new tricarbonylrhenium(I) complex (Re-BPTA) was designed, based on a simple symmetrical 5,5'-dimethyl-4,4'-diphenyl-3,3'-bi-(1,2,4-triazole) organic ligand. The complex was prepared in good yield using a three-step procedure. The crystallographic study revealed that both phenyl rings are located on the same side of the molecule, and twisted by 71° and 62°, respectively, with respect to the bi-(1,2,4-triazole) unit. They overlap significantly, although they are slipped parallel to each other to minimize the intramolecular interaction energy. The π-π stacking interaction was also revealed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, in good agreement with the results of theoretical calculations. In organic solutions, a peculiar electrochemical signature was observed compared to closely-related pyridyl-triazole (pyta)-based complexes. With regard to the optical properties, the stiffness of the Re-BPTA complex led to the stabilization of the ³MLCT state, and thus to an enhancement of the red phosphorescence emission compared to the more flexible pyta complexes. However, an increased sensitivity to quenching by oxygen appeared. In the microcrystalline phase, the Re-BPTA complex showed strong photoluminescence (PL) emission in the green-yellow wavelength range (λ_PL = 548 nm, Φ_PL = 0.52, 〈τ_PL〉 = 713 ns), and thus a dramatic solid-state luminescence enhancement (SLE) effect. These attractive emission properties can be attributed to the fact that the molecule undergoes little distortion between the ground state and the triplet excited state, as well as to a favorable intermolecular arrangement that minimizes detrimental interactions in the crystal lattice. The aggregation-induced phosphorescence emission (AIPE) effect was clear, with a 7-fold increase in emission intensity at 546 nm, although the aggregates formed in aqueous medium were much less emissive than the native microcrystalline powder. In this work, the rigidity of the Re-BPTA complex is reinforced by the intramolecular π-π stacking interaction of the phenyl rings. This original concept provides a rhenium tricarbonyl compound with very good SLE properties, and could be used more widely to successfully develop this area of research.

Crystal structure of 1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamoyl]-3-(pyridin-2-yl-κN)pyrazole-κ2 N-bis(2-phenylpyridinato-k2 C,N)iridium(III) hexafluorophosphate complex, [C40H28F3IrN5O]PF6

[C40H28F3IrN5O]PF6, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 20.2282(19) Å, b = 14.5095(11) Å, c = 12.6091(10) Å, β = 96.937(3)°, V = 3673.7(5) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0498, wRref(F2) = 0.1250, T = 107(2) K.

Rational Design of Efficient Organometallic Ir(III) Complexes for High-Performance, Flexible, Monochromatic, and White Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells

Highly efficient light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) have attracted tremendous interest because of their simple structures and low-cost fabrication processing, showing great potential for full-color displays and solid-state lighting. In this work, we rationally designed and synthesized two red-emitting cationic Ir(III) complexes, [Ir(tBuPBI)₂(biq)]PF₆ (R1) and [Ir(tBuPBI)₂(qibi)]PF₆ (R2), in which a tert-butyl-functionalized 1,2-diphenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (PBI) unit and conjugated 2,2'-biquinoline (biq) and 2-(1-phenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)quinolone (qibi) were employed as cyclometalated and ancillary ligands, respectively. The introduced tert-butyl group led to homogeneous and highly emissive thin films by increasing the solubility and suppressing the strong intermolecular interactions due to steric hindrance. Based on the abovementioned high-quality emissive layer, high-efficiency LECs were achieved. An efficient red-emitting LEC fabricated on a glass substrate achieved a current efficiency (η_C) of 7.18 cd/A and an external quantum efficiency (η_ext) of 9.32%. By doping both complexes into a blue-green-emitting cationic Ir(III) complex, high-performance white LECs were also successfully fabricated with Commission International de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.39,0.39), a η_C of 17.43 cd/A, and a η_ext of 8.92%. In addition, we also fabricated flexible red and white LECs with outstanding efficiencies and mechanical flexibilities. The η_C and η_ext values of a flexible white LEC could be as high as 13.50 cd/A and 6.86%, respectively. The efficiency of the flexible device remained at approximately 95% of the initial value after 500 bends with a radius of curvature of 5 mm, demonstrating the great potential of these complexes for full-color displays and flexible optoelectronics.

Dinuclear metal complexes: multifunctional properties and applications

Dinuclear metal complexes have enabled breakthroughs in OLEDs, photocatalytic water splitting and CO₂reduction, DSPEC, chemosensors, biosensors, PDT and smart materials.

Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Production and Polymerization using Triarylboron-Functionalized Iridium(III) Complexes

The development of novel iridium(III) complexes has continued as an important area of research owing to their highly tunable photophysical properties and versatile applications. In this report, three heteroleptic dimesitylboron-containing iridium(III) complexes, [Ir(p-B-ppy)₂ (N^N)]⁺ {p-B-ppy=2-(4-dimesitylborylphenyl)pyridine; N^N=dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) (1), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq) (2), and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (3)}, were prepared and fully characterized electrochemically, photophysically, and computationally. Altering the conjugated length of the N^N ligands allowed us to tailor the photophysical properties of these complexes, especially their luminescence wavelength, which could be adjusted from λ=583 to 631 nm in CH₂ Cl₂ . All three complexes were evaluated as visible-light-absorbing sensitizers for the photogeneration of hydrogen from water and as photocatalysts for the photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate. The results showed that all of them were active in both photochemical reactions. High activity for the photosensitizer (over 1158 turnover numbers with 1) was observed, and the system generated hydrogen even after 20 h. Additionally, poly(methyl methacrylate) with a relatively narrow molecular-weight distribution was obtained if an initiator (i.e., ethyl α-bromophenylacetate) was used. The living character of the photoinduced polymerization was confirmed on the basis of successful chain-extension experiments.

Cyclometalated Ir(iii) complexes [Ir(tpy)(bbibH2)Cl][PF6] and [Ir(tpy)(bmbib)Cl][PF6]: intramolecular π⋯π interactions leading to facile synthesis and enhanced luminescence

Complexes [Ir(tpy)(bbibH₂)Cl][PF₆] (1·PF6) and [Ir(tpy)(bmbib)Cl][PF₆] (2·PF6) show facile synthesis and enhanced luminescence due to intramolecular π⋯π interactions.

Highly Stable and Efficient Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells Based on Cationic Iridium Complexes Bearing Arylazole Ancillary Ligands

A series of bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes of general formula [Ir(ppy)₂(N^∧N)][PF₆] (ppy^- = 2-phenylpyridinate; N^∧N = 2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine (1), 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole (2), 1-methyl-2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole (3), 2-(4'-thiazolyl)benzimidazole (4), 1-methyl-2-(4'-thiazolyl)benzimidazole (5)) is reported, and their use as electroluminescent materials in light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) devices is investigated. [2][PF₆] and [3][PF₆] are orange emitters with intense unstructured emission around 590 nm in acetonitrile solution. [1][PF₆], [4][PF₆], and [5][PF₆] are green weak emitters with structured emission bands peaking around 500 nm. The different photophysical properties are due to the effect that the chemical structure of the ancillary ligand has on the nature of the emitting triplet state. Whereas the benzimidazole unit stabilizes the LUMO and gives rise to a ³MLCT/³LLCT emitting triplet in [2][PF₆] and [3][PF₆], the presence of the thiazolyl ring produces the opposite effect in [4][PF₆] and [5][PF₆] and the emitting state has a predominant ³LC character. Complexes with ³MLCT/³LLCT emitting triplets give rise to LEC devices with luminance values 1 order higher than those of complexes with ³LC emitting states. Protecting the imidazole N-H bond with a methyl group, as in complexes [3][PF₆] and [5][PF₆], shows that the emissive properties become more stable. [3][PF₆] leads to outstanding LECs with simultaneously high luminance (904 cd m^-2), efficiency (9.15 cd A^-1), and stability (lifetime over 2500 h).

Recent Progress in Ionic Iridium(III) Complexes for Organic Electronic Devices

Ionic iridium(III) complexes are emerging with great promise for organic electronic devices, owing to their unique features such as ease of molecular design and synthesis, excellent photophysical properties, superior redox stability, and highly efficient emissions of virtually all colors. Here, recent progress on new material design, regarding photo- and electroluminescence is highlighted, including several interesting topics such as: i) color-tuning strategies of cationic iridium(III) complexes, ii) widespread utilization in phosphorescent light-emitting devices fabricated by not only solution processes but also vacuum evaporation deposition, and iii) potential applications in data record, storage, and sercurity. Results on anionic iridium(III) complexes and "soft salts" are also discussed, indicating a new related subject. Finally, a brief outlook is suggested, pointing out that ionic iridium(III) complexes should play a more significant role in future organic electronic materials technology.

Luminescent Iridium Complexes Used in Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells (LEECs)

Cationic iridium(III) complexes represent the single largest class of emitters used in light emitting electrochemical cells (LEECs). In this chapter, we highlight the state-of-the-art emitters in terms of efficiency and stability in LEEC devices, highlighting blue, green, yellow/orange, red and white devices, and provide an outlook to the future of LEECs.

Exceptionally long-lived light-emitting electrochemical cells: multiple intra-cation π-stacking interactions in [Ir(C^N)2(N^N)][PF6] emitters

A series of cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes [Ir(C^N)2(N^N)][PF6] (N^N = 2,2'-bipyridine (1), 6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine (2), 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine (3), 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine (4); HC^N = 2-(3-phenyl)phenylpyridine (HPhppy) or 2-(3,5-diphenyl)phenylpyridine (HPh2ppy)) are reported. They have been synthesized using solvento precursors so as to avoid the use of chlorido-dimer intermediates, chloride ion contaminant being detrimental to the performance of [Ir(C^N)2(N^N)][PF6] emitters in light-electrochemical cell (LEC) devices. Single crystal structure determinations and variable temperature solution 1H NMR spectroscopic data confirm that the pendant phenyl domains engage in multiple face-to-face π-interactions within the coordination sphere of the iridium(iii) centre. The series of [Ir(Phppy)2(N^N)]+ and [Ir(Ph2ppy)2(N^N)]+ complexes investigated include those with and without intra-cation face-to-face π-stacking. All the complexes display excellent luminescent properties, in particular when employed in thin solid films. The most important observation is that all the LECs using the [Ir(Phppy)2(N^N)]+ and [Ir(Ph2ppy)2(N^N)]+ emitters (i.e. with and without intra-cation π-stacking interactions) exhibit very stable luminance outputs over time, even when driven at elevated current densities. The most stable LEC had an extrapolated lifetime of more than 2500 hours under accelerated testing conditions.

Recent advances in electrochemiluminescence

The great success of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) for in vitro diagnosis (IVD) and its promising potential in light-emitting devices greatly promote recent ECL studies. More than 45% of ECL articles were published after 2010, and the first international meeting on ECL was held in Italy in 2014. This critical review discusses recent vibrant developments in ECL, and highlights novel ECL phenomena, such as wireless ECL devices, bipolar electrode-based ECL, light-emitting electrochemical swimmers, upconversion ECL, ECL resonance energy transfer, thermoresponsive ECL, ECL using shape-controlled nanocrystals, and ECL as an ion-selective electrode photonic reporter, a paper-based microchip, and a self-powered microfluidic ECL platform. We also comment on the latest progress in bioassays, light-emitting devices and, the computational approach for the ECL mechanism study. Finally, perspectives and key challenges in the near future are addressed (198 references).

Synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry, and photophysical studies of triarylamine-containing zinc(ii) diimine bis-thiolate complexes

A series of triarylamine-containing Zn(ii) diimine bis-thiolate complexes were synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, FAB mass spectrometry and satisfactory elemental analysis.

Enhancing the luminescence properties and stability of cationic iridium(III) complexes based on phenylbenzoimidazole ligand: a combined experimental and theoretical study

Herein we designed and synthesized a series of cationic iridium(III) complexes with a phenylbenzoimidazole-based cyclometalated ligand, containing different numbers of carbazole moieties from zero to three (complexes 1-4). The photophysical and electrochemical properties of this series have been systematically investigated. The complexes exhibit strong luminescence in both solution and in neat films, as well as excellent redox reversibility. Introducing carbazole groups into the complexes is found to lead to substantially enhanced photoluminescence quantum efficiency in the neat film, but has little effect on the emitting color and excited-state characteristics as supported by density functional theory (DFT) results. DFT calculations also suggest that functionalized complexes 2-4 reveal better hole-transporting properties than 1. More importantly, all complexes effectively reduce the degradation reaction to some extent in metal-centered (³MC) excited-states, demonstrating their stability. Further studies indicate that restriction of opening of the structures in the ³MC state is caused by the unique molecular conformation of the phenylbenzoimidazole ligand, which is first demonstrated here in cationic iridium(III) complexes without intramolecular π-π stacking. These results presented here would provide valuable information for designing and synthesizing highly efficient and stable cationic iridium(III) complexes suitable for the optical devices.

Red emitting [Ir(C^N)2(N^N)]+ complexes employing bidentate 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ligands for light-emitting electrochemical cells

A series of red emitting [Ir(C^N)₂(N^N)][PF₆] complexes in which N^N is a bidentate 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ligand are reported and screened in device configuration for application in LECs.

Tuning the photophysical properties of cationic iridium(III) complexes containing cyclometallated 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole through functionalized 2,2'-bipyridine ligands: blue but not blue enough

Four new heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes in the family [Ir(dfppz)(2)(N^N)](+), where Hdfppz = 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole and N^N = 6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine (1), 4,4'-(di-tert-butyl)-6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine (2), 4,4'-(di-tert-butyl)-6,6'-diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine (3) and 4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)-2,2'-bipyridine (4), have been synthesized as the hexafluoridophosphate salts and fully characterized. Single crystal structures of ligand 3 and the precursor [Ir(2)(dfppz)(4)(μ-Cl)(2)] have been determined, along with the structures of the complexes 4{[Ir(dfppz)(2)(1)][PF(6)]}·3CH(2)Cl(2), [Ir(dfppz)(2)(3)][PF(6)]·CH(2)Cl(2) and [Ir(dfppz)(2)(4)][PF(6)]·CH(2)Cl(2). The role of inter- and intramolecular face-to-face π-stacking in the solid state is discussed. In the [Ir(dfppz)(2)(N^N)](+) (N^N = 1-3) cations, the phenyl substituent in ligands 1, 2 or 3 undergoes hindered rotation on the NMR timescale at 298 K in solution and the systems have been studied by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. Acetonitrile solutions of [Ir(dfppz)(2)(N^N)][PF(6)] (N^N = 1-3) exhibit similar absorption spectra arising from ligand-based transitions; absorption intensity is enhanced on going to [Ir(dfppz)(2)(4)][PF(6)] and the spectrum extends further into the visible region. Acetonitrile solutions of the complexes are blue emitters with λ(em) = 517, 505, 501 and 493 nm for N^N = 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively (λ(exc) = 280-310 nm). The redox behaviours of [Ir(dfppz)(2)(N^N)][PF(6)] (N^N = 1-3) are similar, and the introduction of the electron-donating NMe(2) substituents onto the N^N ligand shifts the metal-centred oxidation to less positive potentials. Theoretical calculations predict a mixed metal-to-ligand/ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT/LLCT) character for the emitting triplet state in agreement with the broad and unstructured character of the emission bands. The NMe(2) substituents enlarge the HOMO-LUMO gap and blue-shifts the emission of [Ir(dfppz)(2)(4)](+) that is centred on the ancillary ligand. These complexes, when processed into a thin film and sandwiched between two electrodes, lead to very low voltage operating electroluminescent devices. No additional components are needed, which demonstrates their electron and hole transport abilities in conjunction with the luminescent properties.

Ambient fabrication of flexible and large-area organic light-emitting devices using slot-die coating

The grand vision of manufacturing large-area emissive devices with low-cost roll-to-roll coating methods, akin to how newspapers are produced, appeared with the emergence of the organic light-emitting diode about 20 years ago. Today, small organic light-emitting diode displays are commercially available in smartphones, but the promise of a continuous ambient fabrication has unfortunately not materialized yet, as organic light-emitting diodes invariably depend on the use of one or more time- and energy-consuming process steps under vacuum. Here we report an all-solution-based fabrication of an alternative emissive device, a light-emitting electrochemical cell, using a slot-die roll-coating apparatus. The fabricated flexible sheets exhibit bidirectional and uniform light emission, and feature a fault-tolerant >1-μm-thick active material that is doped in situ during operation. It is notable that the initial preparation of inks, the subsequent coating of the constituent layers and the final device operation all could be executed under ambient air.

Light-emitting electrochromic cells are a promising alternative to organic light-emitting diodes, as their performance is less sensitive to fabrication conditions. Here, a roll-to-roll compatible fabrication of such devices is presented, demonstrating large-area continuous production in ambient conditions.

Photofunctional triplet excited states of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes: beyond electroluminescence

The development of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes has enabled important breakthroughs in electroluminescence because such complexes permit the efficient population of triplet excited states that give rise to luminescent transitions. The triplet states of Ir(III) complexes are advantageous over those of other transition metal complexes in that their electronic transitions and charge-transfer characteristics are tunable over wide ranges. These favorable properties suggest that Ir(III) complexes have significant potential in a variety of photofunctions other than electroluminescence. In this critical review, we describe recent photonic applications of novel Ir(III) complexes. Ir(III) complexes have been shown to affect the exciton statistics in the active layers of organic photovoltaic cells, thereby improving the photon-to-current conversion efficiencies. Nonlinear optical applications that take advantage of the strong charge-transfer properties of triplet transitions are also discussed. The tunability of the electrochemical potentials facilitates the development of efficient photocatalysis in the context of water photolysis or organic syntheses. The photoredox reactivities of Ir(III) complexes have been employed in studies of charge migration along DNA chains. The photoinduced cytotoxicity of Ir(III) complexes on live cells suggests that the complexes may be useful in photodynamic therapy. Potential biological applications of the complexes include phosphorescence labeling and sensing. Intriguing platforms based on cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes potentially provide novel protein tagging and ratiometric detection. We envision that future research into the photofunctionality of Ir(III) complexes will provide important breakthroughs in a variety of photonic applications.