Synthesis, structural characterization, opto-electrical properties of Ir(III) complexes with imidazolium-based carbene ligands

A series of Ir(III) complexes with N–heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) ligands (1–3) were synthesized and characterized. The opto-electrical properties of these complexes were investigated spectroscopically, electrochemically and theoretically. All complexes exhibit ligand-based ¹π,π* transitions in the UV region, ¹MLCT absorption in the UV region, and weak low energy ³π, π* transition in visible region. These complexes all exhibit blue phosphorescence at both room temperature and 77 K, which is dominated by ³π,π* character. DFT calculation results indicate their lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMO) from − 0.47 to − 0.33 eV and the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO) from − 4.97 to − 5.33 eV. The opto-electrical properties can be influenced drastically by NHC ligands, which would be useful for rational design of optical functional materials.