Luminescent neutral cu(i) complexes: Synthesis, characterization and application in solution-processed oled

Four novel neutral copper(I) compounds were prepared, based on the chelating phosphine bis(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)ether, (DPEPhos), and a series of nitrogen-containing heterocycles as ancillary ligands. The optical properties can be tuned according to the ancillary ligand and their emissions at room temperature in aprotic solvent (CH2 Cl2 ) go from greenish blue to orange. Their photoluminescence in solid state is particularly attractive and make their employment in opto-electronic devices very appealing. In particular, the low-cost preparation method of solution-processed light emitting devices is suitable for copper(I) complexes. In order to choose a suitable device architecture, the electrochemical characteristics were investigated and the frontier orbitals values were determined. Preliminary results on solution-processed OLED are presented.