Mono- and dinuclear cationic iridium(III) complexes bearing a 2,5-dipyridylpyrazine (2,5-dpp) ligand

The synthesis, X-ray structures, photophysical, and electrochemical characterization of mono- (1) and dinuclear (2) cationic iridium(III) complexes bearing a 2,5-dipyridylpyrazine (2,5-dpp) ancillary ligand are reported. Upon the complexation of a first equivalent of iridium, the photoluminescence shifts markedly into the deep red (λem = 710 nm, ΦPL = 0.9%) compared to other cationic iridium complexes such as [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)]PF6. With the coordination of a second equivalent of iridium, room temperature luminescence is completely quenched. Both 1 and 2 are luminescent at low temperatures but with distinct excited state decay kinetics; the emission of 2 is significantly red-shifted compared to 1. Emission both at 298 and 77 K results from a mixed charge-transfer state. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and electrochemical behavior point to an electronic communication between the two iridium complexes.