Twist to Boost: Circumventing Quantum Yield and Dissymmetry Factor Trade-Off in Circularly Polarized Luminescence

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) enables promising applications in asymmetric photonics. However, the performances of CPL molecules do not yet meet the requirements of these applications. The shortcoming originates from the trade-off in CPL between the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and the photoluminescence dissymmetry factor (g(PL)). In this study, we developed a molecular strategy to circumvent this trade-off. Our approach takes advantage of the strong propensity of [Pt(N boolean AND C boolean AND N)Cl], where the N boolean AND C boolean AND N ligand is 1-(2-oxazoline)-3-(2-pyridyl)phenylate, to form face-to-face stacks. We introduced chiral substituents, including (S)-methyl, (R)- and (S)-isopropyl, and (S)-indanyl groups, into the ligand framework. This asymmetric control induces torsional displacements that give homohelical stacks of the Pt(II) complexes. X-ray single-crystal structure analyses for the (S)-isopropyl Pt(II) complex reveal the formation of a homohelical dimer with a Pt center dot center dot center dot Pt distance of 3.48 angstrom, which is less than the sum of the van der Waals radii of Pt. This helical stack elicits the metal-metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MMLCT) transition that exhibits strong chiroptical activity due to the electric transition moment making an acute angle to the magnetic transition moment. The PLQY and g(PL) values of the MMLCT phosphorescence emission of the (S)-isopropyl Pt(II) complex are 0.49 and 8.4 x 10(-4), which are improved by factors of ca. 6 and 4, respectively, relative to the values of the unimolecular emission (PLQY, 0.078; A L , 2.4 x 10(-4)). Our photophysical measurements for the systematically controlled Pt(II) complexes reveal that the CPL amplifications depend on the chiral substituent. Our investigations also indicate that excimers are not responsible for the enhanced chiroptical activity. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, organic electroluminescence devices were fabricated. The MMLCT emission devices were found to exhibit simultaneous enhancements in the external quantum efficiency (EQE, 9.7%) and the electroluminescence dissymmetry factor (g(EL), 1.2 x 10(-4)) over the unimolecular emission devices (EQE, 5.8%; g(EL), 0.3 x 10(-4)). These results demonstrate the usefulness of using the chiroptically active MMLCT emission for achieving an amplified CPL.

Automated summary

This study developed a molecular strategy to enhance the performance of CPL by introducing chiral substituents to form homohelical stacks of Pt(II) complexes. X-ray single-crystal structure analyses and photophysical measurements demonstrated significant improvements in the properties of MMLCT emission, leading to amplified CPL effects. Organic electroluminescence devices based on the chiroptically active MMLCT emission showed simultaneous enhancements in external quantum efficiency and electroluminescence dissymmetry factor compared to unimolecular emission devices.