Syntheses, photophysics, and application of iridium(III) phosphorescent emitters for highly efficient, long-life organic light-emitting diodes.

Rational design and synthesis of Ir(III) complexes (1-3) bearing two cyclometalated ligands (C--N) and one 2-(diphenylphosphino)phenolate chelate (P--O) as well as the corresponding Ir(III) derivatives (4-6) with only one (C--N) ligand and two P--O chelates are reported, where (C--NH)=phenylpyridine (ppyH), 1-phenylisoquinoline (piqH), and 4-phenylquinazoline (nazoH). Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 3 reveal a distorted octahedral coordination geometry, in which two nazo ligands adopt an eclipsed configuration, with the third P--O ligand located trans to the phenyl group of both nazo ligands, confirming the general skeletal pattern for 1-3. In sharp contrast, complex 4 reveals a trans-disposition for the PPh2 groups, along with the phenolate groups residing opposite the unique cyclometalated ppy ligand, which is the representative structure for 4-6.