Tuning the Photophysical Properties of Cyclometalated Ir(III) Complexes by a Trifluoroacetyl Group

Abstract

Four cationic Ir(III) complexes, [Ir(dpq)2(bpy)]PF6 (1), [Ir(dpq)2(phen)]PF6 (2), [Ir(tfapq)2- (bpy)]PF6 (3), and [Ir(tfapq)2(phen)]PF6 (4) (dpqH = 2,4-diphenylquinoline, tfapqH = 2-(4ʹ-trifluoroacetylphenyl)- 4-phenylquinoline, bpy = 2,2ʹ-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and fully characterized. The structure of 4 was also confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The electron-acceptor character of the trifluoroacetyl unit leads to a reduced HOMO-LUMO gap and consequently a red-shift of the UV/Vis absorption and luminescence spectra. The solvophobic character of the trifluoroacetyl unit gives rise to a molecule assembly in solution.