Electrochemical and phosphorescent properties of new mixed-ligand Ir(III) complexes coordinated with both terpyridine and various bipyridine derivatives

Seven useful mixed-ligand complexes in the form of [Ir(terpy)(L)Cl](2+) were prepared and their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties were investigated. The ligands used were terpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine, L = 2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, 5-phenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine. Synthetic methods were developed by a sequential ligand-replacement which occurred in the reaction vessel using a microwave oven. All complexes showed that LUMOs are based on the pi-system contribution of the terpyridine ligand for [Ir(terpy)(bpy)Cl](2+), [Ir(terpy)(dmbpy)Cl](2+), [Ir(terpy)(dpbpy)Cl](2+), [Ir(terpy)(phen)Cl](2+), [Ir(terpy)(dpphen)Cl](2+) and [Ir(terpy)(phphen)Cl](2+). On the other hand, the LUMO in the [Ir(terpy)(bppz)Cl](2+) complex is localized on the pi-system of the bppz ligand, whereas the HOMOs in the iridium complexes are localized on the terpyridine ligand. It was found that Ir(terpy)(L)Cl emits in a fluid solution at room temperature. The ancillary ligands, such as terpy and bpy, have been explored to extend the lifetime of the triplet (3)(pi-pi*) excited states of Ir(III) terpyridine complexes. Ir(III) terpyridine units with an electron donor (dmbpy) or electron acceptor substituents (terpy, dpbpy, phphen, dpphen and bppz) are found to decrease the energy of the (LC)-L-3 states for use as photosensitizer molecular components in supramolecular devices. The spectroscopic and electrochemical details are also reported herein.