Recent advances of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes for optical oxygen sensing

[Display omitted] •In this review, we summarize the recent advances in Ir(III) complexes as oxygen-sensitive probes (OSPs).•The properties and structure of Ir(III)-based OSPs are also presented.•The current challenges and perspectives of oxygen sensing systems for further development are analyzed. Oxygen plays a significant role in evolution, oxygen sensing comprises an emerging technique in multiple areas of science and technology. How to quickly and accurately detect and identify oxygen has become a very meaningful topic. The optical oxygen sensing method using luminescent probes enjoys a number of advantages (e.g., high sensitivity and selectivity, good reversibility, real-time and non-destructive measurement) that render them capable of detecting molecular oxygen content. It has been reported that some luminescent Ir(III) complex-based materials show excellent sensitivity toward oxygen. This review focuses on recent progresses advances in the design and development of Ir(III) complexes as oxygen-sensitive probes, along with their photophysical properties related to oxygen sensing. Representative examples are chosen for discussion. we also briefly discuss the present challenges and research directions for Ir(III) complexes-based probes in oxygen sensing, in order to provide a reference for future research in this field.