Photoluminescence and electroluminescence properties of organotin (IV) complexes

The synthesis and luminescence properties of new organotin (IV) complexes are reported. 8-Hydoxyquinoline (q) and 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HPB) were employed as organic ligands and the corresponding organometallic diphenyltin (IV) complexes (SnDP(HPB)2 and SnDPQ2) were synthesized. The structures of organotin (IV) complexes were determined by FT NMR, FT-IR, UV–vis and elemental analysis. The photoluminescence (PL) of SnDP(HPB)2 and SnDPQ2 complexes was measured from the DMF solution. The PL emission exhibited lights centered at about 447 and 515 nm. The EL devices using SnDP(HPB)2 and SnDPQ2 as the emitting layer showed blue and green luminescence with emission peak at 440–449 and 535 nm. The devices composed of ITO/NPB/Alq3/organotin (IV) complexes/LiF/Al structure showed green emission, which uses organotin (IV) complexes as the hole-blocking layer. Higher performance and lower turn-on voltage could be achieved from the excellent hole-blocking property due to the high HOMO energy levels.