Ir(III) complexes designed for light-emitting devices: beyond the luminescence color array.

In pursuing novel efficient lighting technologies and materials, phosphorescent cyclometallated Ir(iii) complexes have been prominent due to their wide color arrays and highly efficient electroluminescence. Their photophysical properties are strongly influenced by spin-orbit coupling exerted by the iridium core, usually resulting in intense, short-lived emission, which can be systematically tuned as a triumph of molecular engineering. This Perspective aims to present recent breakthroughs and state of the art on emissive Ir(iii) compounds, in particular a personal account on heteroleptic [Ir(N^C)2(L^X)](+) complexes, addressing the mechanistic concepts behind their luminescence.

Making oxygen with ruthenium complexes.

Mastering the production of solar fuels by artificial photosynthesis would be a considerable feat, either by water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen or reduction of CO(2) to methanol or hydrocarbons: 2H(2)O + 4hnu --> O(2) + 2H(2); 2H(2)O + CO(2) + 8hnu --> 2O(2) + CH(4). It is notable that water oxidation to dioxygen is a key half-reaction in both. In principle, these solar fuel reactions can be coupled to light absorption in molecular assemblies, nanostructured arrays, or photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) by a modular approach.