The role of dinuclearity in promoting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) in cyclometallated, N∧C∧N-coordinated platinum(ii) complexes

We present the synthesis and in-depth photophysical analysis of a di-Pt(ii) complex with a ditopic bis-N boolean AND C boolean AND N ligand. The complex exhibits a dual luminescent behaviour by emitting simultaneously delayed fluorescence and phosphorescence. By comparing with the mono-Pt(ii) analogue, we demonstrate that thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) is turned on in the di-Pt(ii) complex due to the occurrence of three main differences relative to the mono-Pt(ii) analogue: a larger singlet radiative rate constant (kSr), a smaller singlet-triplet energy gap (Delta E-ST) and a longer phosphorescence decay lifetime (tau(PH)). We observe similar trends among other di-Pt(ii) complexes and conclude that bimetallic structures promote conditions favourable for TADF to occur. The diplatinum(ii) complex also shows a long wavelength-emissive excimer which yields near infrared electroluminescence, lambda(el) = 805 nm, in a solution-processed OLED device with EQE(max) = 0.51%. We believe this is the highest efficiency reported to date for an excimer Pt(ii) emitter with lambda(el) > 800 nm in a solution-processed OLED device.

Automated summary

Through synthesis and analysis, we have discovered a di-Pt(ii) complex that exhibits dual luminescent behavior and activates thermally activated delayed fluorescence. Compared with the mono-Pt(ii) analogue, the di-Pt(ii) complex has a larger singlet radiative rate constant, a smaller singlet-triplet energy gap, and a longer phosphorescence decay lifetime. This bimetallic structure promotes conditions favorable for TADF, showcasing high efficiency in emitting near infrared electroluminescence.