Carbazolyl-contained phenol-pyridyl boron complexes: syntheses, structures, photoluminescent and electroluminescent properties

Abstract

A series of phenol-pyridyl boron complexes 1–4 bearing carbazolyl-containing groups on boron centres have been designed and synthesized. The single crystals of complexes 1, 2 and 4 were grown, and the crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. All complexes possess very high melting points (346–385 °C) and decomposition temperatures (T_d5: 397–423 °C), indicative of their high thermal stabilities. The electrochemical and photophysical properties as well as theoretical calculations were also investigated. Typical three-layer electroluminescent (EL) devices based on these organoboron complexes exhibited white electroluminescence.