Synthesis, Structures, and Unique Luminescent Properties of Tridentate C∧C∧N Cyclometalated Complexes of Iridium

The first C∧C∧N cyclometalated complexes of iridium that bear tridentate pyridylbiphenylene ligands are reported herein. These complexes were synthesized in good yields by means of the directed C–C bond activation of biphenylene with the assistance of pyridyl group precoordination. Their photoluminescent performances were also studied and show unique luminescent properties at longer wavelengths in the near‐infrared range than that of previously synthesized C∧N∧C cyclometalated iridium complexes. The first C∧C∧N cyclometalated complexes of iridium that bear tridentate pyridylbiphenylene ligands were synthesized in good yields through a directed C–C bond activation of pyridylbiphenylene. Photoirradiation of these complexes showed unique luminescent properties at long wavelengths in the near‐infrared range.