Application of three-coordinate copper(I) complexes with halide ligands in organic light-emitting diodes that exhibit delayed fluorescence

A series of three-coordinate copper(I) complexes (L(Me))CuX [X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3)], (L(Et))CuBr (4), and (L(iPr))CuBr (5) [L(Me) = 1,2-bis[bis(2-methylphenyl)phosphino]benzene, L(Et) = 1,2-bis[bis(2-ethylphenyl)phosphino]benzene, and L(iPr) = 1,2-bis[bis(2-isopropylphenyl)phosphino]benzene] exhibit efficient blue-green emission in the solid state at ambient temperature with peak wavelengths between 473 and 517 nm. The emission quantum yields were 0.38-0.95. The emission lifetimes were measured in the temperature range of 77-295 K using a nanosecond laser technique. The temperature dependence of the emission lifetimes was explained using a model with two excited states: a singlet and a triplet state. The small energy gaps (