Cyclometallated iridium(III) complexes with dicyanamide or tricyanomethanide

Abstract: Reaction of cyclometallated iridium(III) complex Ir(ppy)2(PPh3)Cl (2, ppy=2-phenylpyridine) with dicyanamide or tricyanomethanide gave neutral mononuclear complexes Ir(ppy)2(PPh3)N(CN)2 (3a) or Ir(ppy)2(PPh3)C(CN)3 (3b), and dicyanamide/tricyanomethanide-linked binuclear iridium(III) complexes [{Ir(ppy)2(PPh3)}2N(CN)2]+ (4a) or [{Ir(ppy)2(PPh3)}2C(CN)3]+ (4b). Substitution of coordinated chloride in the precursor 2 with dicyanamide or tricyanomethanide improved significantly the luminescence properties of 3a–4b. Compared with that in the precursor 2 (1.6%), 2.2 to 9.3-fold enhancement of emission quantum yields was detected in 3a–4b. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]