Highly soluble fluorine containing Cu(i) AlkylPyrPhos TADF complexes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photochemistry
• Organic Chemistry

Background:

• Copper(I) complexes are promising for optoelectronic applications.
• Developing stable, soluble materials is crucial for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate luminescent copper(I) complexes with a butterfly-shaped Cu2I2 core.
• Focus on complexes with halogenated ancillary ligands, particularly fluorine.
• Assess their potential for solution-processed OLEDs.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of Cu(I) complexes.
• Solubility and photochemical stability tests in various solvents.
• Luminescence and lifetime measurements (solvents and solids).
• Single crystal X-ray diffraction for ground state structures.
• Transient FTIR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations for excited state structures.

Main Results:

• High solubilities and remarkable (photo)chemical stability observed.
• Tunable emission achieved through thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF).
• High quantum yields for luminescence were determined.
• Ground and lowest excited triplet state structures elucidated.

Conclusions:

• The investigated Cu(I) complexes meet key requirements for solution-processed OLEDs.
• Their properties demonstrate potential for efficient and stable OLED devices.
• Fluorine-containing ligands contribute to desirable material characteristics.