Helical-Chiral Tetradentate Emitters for Stable Circularly Polarized OLEDs

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cyclometalated platinum (II) and palladium (II) complexes suffer from low luminescence quantum efficiency, chemical instability, and racemization issues, making them unsuitable for stable circularly polarized luminescence in OLED devices.

Innovation Solution

A central chiral-induced helical-chiral tetradentate cyclometalated platinum (II) and palladium (II) complex is developed, utilizing a tetradentate ligand with a central chiral segment to form an optically pure, stable, and rigid molecule that does not require chiral resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If bidentate cyclometalated platinum (II) and palladium (II) complexes are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the luminescence quantum efficiency decreases due to easy distortion and vibration of two bidentate ligands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplex structureVSAvoidluminescence quantum efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two bidentate ligands into a single tetradentate ligand system that coordinates to the metal center. This merging of ligand functions creates a more rigid complex structure that reduces vibrational energy loss while maintaining coordination stability, thereby improving luminescence quantum efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of energy

If tridentate cyclometalated platinum (II) and palladium (II) complexes are used, then the luminescence quantum efficiency is improved due to enhanced molecular rigidity, but the chemical stability deteriorates due to the second monodentate ligands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminescence quantum efficiencyVSAvoidchemical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the coordination functions of multiple ligands into a single tetradentate ligand system. This creates a more stable complex where the ligand is tightly bound to the metal center through multiple coordination sites, eliminating the lability associated with monodentate ligands while maintaining the rigidity needed for high luminescence quantum efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If existing cyclometalated complexes are used, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the reliability decreases due to racemization issues and chemical instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidoptical purity stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a chiral center within the tetradentate ligand structure. This asymmetric design creates optically pure complexes that are resistant to racemization. The chiral structure is inherently stable and can be synthesized with high enantiomeric excess, improving reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides high chemical and thermal stability, enabling efficient circularly polarized luminescence without racemization, suitable for applications in circular polarization OLED devices.

Implementation Method 1

A central chiral-induced helical-chiral tetradentate cyclometalated platinum (II) and palladium (II) complex is developed, utilizing a tetradentate ligand with a central chiral segment to form an optically pure, stable, and rigid molecule

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoordination bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Cyclometalated platinum (II) and palladium (II) complexes phosphorescent materials can make full use of all singlet and triplet excitons generated by electroexcitation due to their heavy atom effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Implementation Method 3

Cyclometalated platinum (II) and palladium (II) complexes phosphorescent materials can make full use of all singlet and triplet excitons generated by electroexcitation due to their heavy atom effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeavy atom effect:

Implementation Method 4

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is a phenomenon in which levorotatory or dextrorotatory circularly polarized light is emitted from a chiral light-emitting material upon excitation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCircularly polarized luminescence:

Implementation Method 5

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is a phenomenon in which levorotatory or dextrorotatory circularly polarized light is emitted from a chiral light-emitting material upon excitation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical activity:

Data Source

PatentEP4545541B1Circularly polarized light-emitting material and use, light-emitting display device, and display apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 ZHEJIANG HUAXIAN PHOTOELECTRICITY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4545541B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(F)
  • EP4545541B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4545541B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed in the present invention are a helical-chiral tetradentate cyclometalated platinum (II) and palladium (II) complex circularly polarized light-emitting material based on phenyl-benzimidazole and a derivative thereof, and a use. The helical-chiral metal complex molecule can, by means of a central chiral segment La in a tetradentate ligand, autonomously induce the whole tetradentate ligand to coordinate with metal ions in a small steric hindrance manner to form an optically pure helical-chiral metal complex circularly polarized light-emitting material. The helical-chiral metal complex circularly polarized light-emitting material does not require chiral resolution, has high chemical stability and thermal stability, and has important applications in circularly polarized light-emitting elements.