Heteroleptic Iridium Complexes With Lower Sublimation Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing iridium complexes with pyridyl dibenzo-substituted ligands have high molecular weights, leading to high sublimation temperatures and stability issues, which affect the manufacturing and performance of organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs).

Innovation Solution

Development of heteroleptic iridium complexes with specific ligand substitutions, such as pyridyl dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, and carbazole, to reduce molecular weight and sublimation temperature, enhancing device stability and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If pyridyl dibenzo-substituted ligands are used in iridium complexes, then the complexes exhibit good phosphorescent emission properties, but the molecular weight increases leading to high sublimation temperatures and stability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephosphorescent emission propertiesVSAvoidmolecular weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by using heteroleptic iridium complexes with different ligand types (combining C^N and N^N ligands) rather than uniform ligand structures. This segmentation of ligand functions allows optimization of emission properties while controlling molecular weight through selective ligand combination rather than uniform substitution throughout the complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying ligand substituents (R groups including alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl) and their positions on the ligand framework. This allows tuning of molecular weight, sublimation temperature, and emission properties independently, resolving the contradiction between maintaining good phosphorescent emission and reducing molecular weight through precise structural parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If pyridyl dibenzo-substituted ligands are used in iridium complexes, then the complexes exhibit good phosphorescent emission properties, but sublimation temperature increases affecting manufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephosphorescent emission propertiesVSAvoidsublimation temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heteroleptic complex structure segments the ligand environment into distinct C^N and N^N ligand components, allowing independent optimization of emission properties and thermal behavior. This segmentation enables selection of ligand combinations that maintain phosphorescent emission while reducing overall molecular weight and sublimation temperature compared to fully substituted analogs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By changing ligand parameters (substituent types, positions, and combinations), the patent optimizes the balance between phosphorescent emission properties and sublimation temperature. Specific substituent choices and heteroleptic configurations allow tuning of intermolecular interactions and crystal packing, thereby controlling sublimation temperature while preserving emission characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If pyridyl dibenzo-substituted ligands are used in iridium complexes, then the complexes exhibit good phosphorescent emission properties, but stability issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephosphorescent emission propertiesVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heteroleptic structure segments the coordination environment into complementary C^N and N^N ligands, creating a more balanced electronic structure around the iridium center. This segmentation prevents the stability issues associated with highly substituted uniform ligands by distributing electronic density and steric effects more favorably, enhancing complex stability while maintaining phosphorescent emission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes in ligand design (substituent identity, position, and combination) to optimize both stability and emission properties. By carefully selecting substituents that provide appropriate steric protection and electronic modulation, the heteroleptic complexes achieve enhanced stability compared to their fully substituted counterparts while preserving good phosphorescent emission characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 heteroleptic iridium complexes with reduced molecular weight and sublimation temperature improve the manufacturing process and performance of OLEDs, resulting in devices with improved efficiency, stability, and longer lifetime.

Implementation Method 1

One application for phosphorescent emissive molecules is a full color display

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3643721B1Heteroleptic iridium complex
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 UNIVERSAL DISPLAY CORP
  • EP3643721B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3643721B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3643721B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A compound comprising a heteroleptic iridium complex having the formula: wherein X is selected from the group consisting of NR, O, S, BR, and Se; wherein R is selected from hydrogen and alkyl; wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 may represent mono, di, tri, or tetra substitutions; and wherein each of R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, and aryl.