Platinum(II) Complexes with Bis(pyrazolyl)borate Ligands: Increased Molecular Rigidity for Bidentate Ligand Systems.

The structural motif of platinum(II) complexes bearing cyclometalating N-heterocyclic carbene ligands can be used to design deep-blue phosphors for application in organic light-emitting diodes. However, the photophysical properties of the resulting molecules are also highly dependent on the auxiliary ligand. These often allow molecular deformations in the excited state which contribute to non-radiative decay processes that diminish the attainable quantum yield. The use of bis(pyrazolyl)borate-based auxiliary ligands enforces a high molecular rigidity due to their unique geometry. The steric crowding in the coordination sphere inhibits deformation processes and results in highly efficient deep-blue platinum(II) emitters with CIE coordinates below (0.15; 0.15).