Copper(I) ionic complexes based on imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolin diimine chelating ligands: crystal structures, and photo- and electroluminescence properties

Four new ionic diimine Cu(I) complexes with general formula [Cu(POP)(NN)]BF4 have been synthesized by convenient methods from readily available starting materials. All the complexes were characterized by a range of spectroscopic, electrochemical, and computational techniques and, in the cases of 1, 2, and 3, by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complexes are emissive in the solid state at ambient temperature and the emission maxima are located in the orange range. Furthermore, the suitability of these complexes for application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) has been demonstrated in a solution-processed device.