This article describes
metal complexes and their preparation and use. In some forms,
metal complexes contain C NHC ^C^C NHC (NHC=N-heterocyclic
carbene) clamp ligands with a through-bonded donor-
acceptor configuration. The donor (e.g., an
amide group) is coordinated to a
metal ion, while the
acceptor (e.g., 2,4,6-triphenyl-1,3,5-
triazine and its derivatives) is incorporated into the clamp ligand and located at the
para position of the
carbanion. In some forms, the incorporation of the
acceptor (e.g., 2,4,6-triphenyl-1,3,5-
triazine and its derivatives) can be applied to clamp ligands N^C^N and / or C^C^N, wherein in the metal complex, C... NHC ^C^C NHC ligand donor C NHC It can be replaced with a neutral N- donor and / or a
carbanion. The design of the metal complexes disclosed herein can lead to improved photophysical properties, such as a shortened emission lifetime and / or an increased radiative decay rate constant, thereby improving their device performance in
OLED devices.