Encapsulated-Type Iridium(III) Phosphorescent Emitters with a Hexadentate Ligand of Three Different Bidentate Units

The preparation and photophysical properties of new phosphorescent iridium(III) emitters are reported. The metal center is encapsulated by a hexadentate ligand made up of three different bidentate fragments: orthometalated 2-phenylpyridine, orthometalated 2-benzylpyridine, and metalated 2-ethylpyridine. Their formation involves activation reactions of C(sp2)–H and C(sp3)–H bonds assisted by pyridyl groups.
Financial support from MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (PID2020-115286GB-I00 and RED2022-134287-T), Gobierno de Aragón (E06_23R and LMP23_21), FEDER, and the European Social Fund is acknowledged.