Supramolecular iridium(III) assemblies

Abstract

Iridium(III) complexes exhibit remarkable photophysical properties such as high photoluminescence quantum yields, wide color tunability and high chemical stability. They have featured prominently in diverse applications such as sensing, bio-imaging, photoredox catalysis, solar fuels and solid-state lighting. In the vast majority of these reports the iridium complex is mononuclear in nature. The use of iridium complexes as components of self- assembled systems has garnered increasing attention and this review aims to comprehensively document the advances made in this area. Special emphasis will be devoted to describing the photophysical properties and applications of such photo-active supramolecular materials. Soft materials such as soft salts, liquid crystals, gels, colloids incorporating iridium are described as are hydrogen bonding- and π-π staking-directed assemblies, coordination-driven self- assembled materials such as coordination polymers and metal organic frameworks, macrocycles, capsules and cages. Finally, guest Ir(III) complexes encapsulated within the cavities of cage-type structures are presented.