Photoluminescence and electroluminescence from a phosphorescent iridium complex equipped with fluorine moieties

Abstract In this paper, we introduce fluorine moieties into a traditional ligand of acetylacetonate, resulting in a fluorine-functionalized ligand of 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dione (HFD). Its corresponding Ir(III) complex of Ir(HFD)(PTZ) 2 is also synthesized and fully studied, where PTZ = 2-phenylbenzo[d]thiazole. Its molecular structure is confirmed by single crystal analysis, which suggests that the Ir(III) center occupies a octahedral coordination center. Photoluminescence, thermal stability and electrochemical characteristics of Ir(HFD)(PTZ) 2 are investigated. Ir(HFD)(PTZ) 2 is found to be a promising emitter with high PL quantum yield, short excited state lifetime, good thermal stability, and proper HOMO/LUMO energy levels, owing to the fluorine substituent effect. Electroluminescence devices with Ir(HFD)(PTZ) 2 as the emitting dopant are also constructed to further explore its potential application in organic light emitting diodes. A maximum luminance of 53,000 cd/cm 2 is observed from the optimized device.