Iridium(III) luminophores as energy donors for sensitised emission from lanthanides in the visible and near-infrared regions

Luminescent iridium(III) complex units bearing pendant 2,2′-bipyridyl-type binding sites can be used to generate Ir/Ln dyads in which the Ir(III) luminophore acts as an energy donor to the lanthanide by the Dexter mechanism, generating sensitised emission in the visible (from Eu) or near-infrared (Nd, Yb) regions.