Saturated red-light-emitting gold(III) triphenylamine dendrimers for solution-processable organic light-emitting devices.

A novel isoquinoline-containing C^N^C ligand and its phosphorescent triphenylamine-based alkynylgold(III) dendrimers have been synthesized. These alkynylgold(III) dendrimers serve as phosphorescent dopants in the fabrication of efficient solution-processable organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). The photophysical, electrochemical, and electroluminescence properties were studied. A saturated red emission with CIE coordinates of (0.64, 0.36) and a high EQE value of 3.62% were achieved. Unlike other red-light-emitting iridium(III) dendrimers, a low turn-on voltage of less than 3 V and a reduced efficiency roll-off at high current densities were observed; this can be accounted for by the enhanced carrier transporting ability and the relatively short lifetimes in the high-generation dendrimers. This class of alkynylgold(III) dendrimers are promising candidates as phosphorescent dopants in the fabrication of solution-processable OLEDs.