Near-UV phosphorescent emitters: N-heterocyclic platinum(ii) tetracarbene complexes

Although examples of nickel(ii), palladium(ii) and platinum(ii) N-heterocyclic tetracarbene complexes are known in the literature, particularly platinum(ii) tetracarbene complexes are rare. We developed a new synthetic route via biscarbene acetate complexes, which make homoleptic as well as heteroleptic platinum(ii) tetracarbene complexes accessible. The reported photoluminescence data show that these complexes have good quantum yields and photostability and are a promising class of emitters for PhOLEDs. Characterization of the compounds includes a solid-state structure of the homoleptic complex bis(1,1'-diisopropyl-3,3'-methylenediimidazoline-2,2'-diylidene)platinum(ii) dibromide.