Spiro Units Embedded in the B/N Center for Constructing Highly Efficient Multiple Resonance TADF Emitters

Departing from conventional molecular design strategies that rely on spiro units merely as peripheral components (side chains, terminal groups, or linkage units), we fully or partially incorporate the rigid 9,9'-spirobi[fluorene] (SF) unit into the boron/nitrogen multiple resonances (B/N-MR) emitting core, thereby successfully developing a series of proof-of-concept isomerized multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters, namely SF-BN1, SF-BN2, SF-BN3, and SF-BN4. Remarkably, these novel emitters exhibit exceptionally narrow full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) values of 15-21 nm in dilute toluene solutions and high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of up to 90% in doped films. The corresponding organic light-emitting diode (OLED) based on SF-BN1 achieved high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of up to 29.0%, with CIE coordinates of (0.13, 0.08), closely aligning with the BT.2020 blue emission standard. Sky-blue OLEDs based on SF-BN3 can achieve a high EQE of 29.8%, with a narrow FWHM value of 18 nm; the hyperfluorescent (HF) OLEDs based on SF-BN3 improved the EQE of 35.5%. Moreover, we elucidated subtle variations in the connectivity of chemical functional groups within emitters and the polar environment and doping concentrations of OLEDs, which can significantly impact these isomers' optical and electroluminescent (EL) properties.

Comprehensive Review on the Structural Diversity and Versatility of Multi-Resonance Fluorescence Emitters: Advance, Challenges, and Prospects toward OLEDs

Fluorescence emitters with a multiple-resonant (MR) effect have become a research hotspot. These MR emitters mainly consist of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with boron/nitrogen, nitrogen/carbonyl, and indolocarbazole frameworks. The staggered arrangement of the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital facilitates MR, resulting in smaller internal reorganization energy and a narrower emission bandwidth. Optimal charge separation suppresses the energy gap between singlet and triplet excited states, favoring thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). These MR-TADF materials, due to color purity and high emission efficiency, are excellent candidates for organic light-emitting diodes. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain; in particular, the limitation imposed by the alternated core configuration hinders their diversity and versatility. Most existing MR-TADF materials are concentrated in the blue-green range, with only a few in red and near-infrared spectra. This review provides a timely and comprehensive screening of MR emitters from their pioneering work to the present. Our goal is to gain understandings of the MR-TADF structure-performance relationship from both basic and advanced perspectives. Special emphasis is placed on exploring the correlations between chemical structure, photophysical properties and electroluminescent performance in both depth and breadth with an aim to promote the future development of MR emitters.

Curved π-Conjugated Dehydrobenzoannulene as Electron-Deficient Cores of Donor-Acceptor Systems

Utilizing [14]dehydrobenzoannulene as an electron acceptor, four twisted donor-acceptor architectures were divergently synthesized. Intriguingly, the antiaromatic diazocine core could interrupt electron transfer in the π-frameworks. Benefiting from the junction of dehydrobenzoannulene and carbazoles, all displayed stunning fluorescence and electrochemiluminescence. Anomalously, blue-shifted fluorescence was observed in the electron-donating-group-substituted homologues. Finally, a molecular carbon-based sensor for dopamine detection was constructed. This work provides new insights into the construction and application of molecular carbons.

Cyano-Modified Multi-Resonance Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent Emitters Towards Pure-Green OLEDs with a CIEy Value of 0.74

The development of pure-green organic emitters with ideal emission peaks and ultra-narrow full-widths at half-maximum (FWHMs) remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we report two new green emitters, CNBN and MCNBN, which achieve extremely narrow FWHMs by synergistic rigid π-extension and cyano-substitution of a sky-blue multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) core. The introduction of cyano groups induces red-shifts in the emission to the green region and dramatically minimizes the FWHMs. In toluene solution, CNBN and MCNBN exhibit narrowband emission with a maximum at 501 nm and 510 nm with ultra-narrow FWHMs of 14 nm/0.066 eV and 15 nm/0.071 eV, respectively. Given the near-unity photoluminescence quantum yields and almost 100 % horizontal dipole orientation, the electroluminescent (EL) devices based on CNBN and MCNBN deliver external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) exceeding 30 % with FWHMs of 16 nm/0.072 eV and 17 nm/0.080 eV, respectively. Notably, the MCNBN-based device achieves pure-green emission with a maximum at 517 nm with Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage coordinates of (0.17, 0.74), closely aligning with the BT.2020 green standard.

Azepination-Induced Frontier Molecular Orbital Delocalization of Multiple Resonance Emitters: Constructing Highly Efficient Narrowband Electroluminescent Materials

Developing diversified construction strategies for high-color-purity and efficient multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) materials is a major strategic demand to meet the requirements of ultra-high-definition organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, posing a significant challenge to the design and synthesis of emitters at the molecular level. Herein, a strategy is proposed for azepination-induced frontier molecular orbital (FMO) delocalization of MR emitters, that is, embedding azepine into the prototype molecule BNCz can effectively improve the π-conjugation degree and extend the FMO delocalization, thereby constructing a series of long-wavelength MR-TADF materials with narrowband emission. Through an intramolecular Scholl reaction, these target molecules with an azepine-embedded core are afforded by one-fold heptagonal cyclization of BNCz core and the phenyl ring attached to (aromatic amine-substituted) aryl precursor. They all exhibit efficient green emission around 520 nm and narrow full-widths at half-maximum (FWHMs) of ≤ 37 nm in toluene. OLEDs employing these emitters show excellent electroluminescence (EL) performances, among which m-PAz-BNCz-based OLED exhibits the optimal EL performances with a peak of 528 nm, a FWHM of 37 nm, Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.26, 0.70), and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 36.2%.

Spectral Narrowing Strategies in Multiple Resonance Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Materials

Multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) materials possess unique advantages of high-efficiency and narrowband emission, which have rapidly occupied an important position in the field of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the development of MR-TADF materials, particularly in achieving spectral narrowing for high-color-purity OLED applications. Based on diverse MR-TADF molecular skeletons, this review summarizes the primary molecular strategies to narrow spectrum by suppressing structural relaxation and intermolecular interactions. Key strategies include π-conjugation extension, increased molecular rigidity, and the introduction of bulky substituents and intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Additionally, effects of these strategies on photophysical properties are discussed. These molecular design strategies are expected to offer valuable insights for the future design of high-efficiency, narrowband OLED emitters.

Bifunctional Group Modulation Strategy Enables MR-TADF Electroluminescence Toward BT.2020 Green Light Standard

Herein, a parallel "bifunctional group" modulation method is proposed to achieve controlled modulation of the emission wavelength and full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) values. As a result, three proof-of-concept emitters, namely DBNDS-TPh, DBNDS-DFPh, and DBNDS-CNPh, are designed and synthesized, with the first functional dibenzo[b,d]thiophene unit concurrently reducing the bandgap and elevate their triplet state energy. A second functional group 1,1':3',1″-triphenyl, and electron acceptors 1,3-difluorobenzene and benzonitrile, respectively, to deepen the HOMO and LUMO levels. Accordingly, the CIE coordinates of DBNDS-TPh, DBNDS-DFPh, and DBNDS-CNPh are (0.13, 0.77), (0.14, 0.77), and (0.14, 0.76) respectively, in a dilute toluene solution. This marks the first instance of achieving a CIEy value of 0.77 in dilute toluene solutions. Significantly, the non-sensitized pure-green OLEDs based on DBNDS-TPh and DBNDS-DFPh demonstrate peak EQE of 35.0% and 34.5%, with corresponding CIE coordinates of (0.18, 0.75), (0.17, 0.76) at the doping concentration of 1 wt.%, representing the first green OLED with a CIEy value reaching 0.76 in a bottom-emitting device structure as reported in the literature.

Enabling High-Performance Multi-Resonant TADF Emitters via Intramolecular Hydrogen Bond

Hydrogen bonds (HBs), prevalent strong interactions in organic compounds, can effectively constrain single bond rotation, leading to rigid planar configurations. This rigidity enhances emission efficiency and narrows the emission spectrum of luminescent materials. Recent advances have leveraged HBs to advance high-performance donor-acceptor thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials. However, their application in multi-resonance (MR) TADF emitters remains limited. We herein developed MR-TADF emitters incorporating intramolecular hydrogen bonds (IHBs) with pyrimidine as the HB acceptor. The rigid planar conformation induced by IHBs significantly improved photoluminescence quantum yield, extended emission wavelength, reduced full-width at half-maximum, and decreased non-radiative decay rates for BN-2Pm compared to BN-5Pm. Devices based on BN-2Pm achieved a maximum external quantum efficiency of 36.5 %, a current efficiency of 102.3 cd A-1, a power efficiency of 84.6 lm W-1, and Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.18, 0.71). In contrast, BN-5Pm exhibited lower values: 14.6 %, 36.8 cd A-1, 27.6 lm W-1, and (0.12, 0.57), respectively.

Precise Regulation of the Reverse Intersystem Crossing Pathway by Hybridized Long-Short Axis Strategy for High-Performance Multi-Resonance TADF Emitters

Multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) molecules have experienced great success in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) owing to their outstanding quantum efficiencies and narrow full width at half-maximums (FWHMs). However, the reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) rates of MR-TADF emitters are usually small, which will lead to relatively long triplet exciton lifetime and severe efficiency roll-off. Here, we report an effective molecular design strategy to introduce multichannel RISC pathways and thus increase RISC rates without compromising the color fidelity and emission efficiency by the "hybridized long-short axis (HLSA)" strategy. The TPA-CN-BN shows a near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield, rapid RISC rate of 1.4×105 s-1, narrow FWHM of 23 nm, and small singlet-triplet energy gap (ΔEST) of 0.06 eV in solution. The non-sensitized OLED based on TPA-CN-BN exhibits a narrowband emission with the FWHM of 31 nm, in company with external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 37.9 %. Notably, the device exhibits the low efficiency roll-off as the EQEs maintain 34.8 % and 21.8 % at 100 and 1000 cd m-2, respectively, representing the best performance for single-host OLEDs based on the BCzBN skeleton. This study provides a fresh and promising approach to realize high-performance OLEDs with high color purity and remarkable device efficiency.

Clar's Aromatic π-Sextet Rule for the Construction of Red Multiple Resonance Emitter

Despite the proliferation of multiple resonance (MR) materials in the blue to green spectral ranges, red MR emitters remain scarce in the literature, an area that certainly warrants attention for future applications. Here, through a clever application of classic Clar's aromatic π-sextet rule, we triumphantly constructed the first red MR emitter by substituting the conventional benzene ring core with anthracene (fewer π-sextets). Theoretical studies indicate that the quantity of π-sextets ultimately determines the optical band gap of a molecule, rather than the number of fused benzene rings. Benefiting from the high photoluminescence quantum yield of ~94 % and horizontal dipole ratio of ~90 %, the corresponding narrowband red (luminescence wavelength: 608 nm) organic light-emitting diode shows a high external quantum efficiency of 27.3 %, with only a slight decrease of 3.7 % at an elevated luminance level of 100,000 cd/m2.

Multiple Resonance Quasi-fluorescence from BN-Doped Aromatic Compounds Modified with "Naphthalene" Units Approaches the BT.2020 Green Light Standard

Developing fluorophores that conform to the Broadcast Service Television 2020 (BT.2020) standard presents a formidable challenge. Here, we propose an innovative approach that integrates two and three-boron/nitrogen (BN2)-embedded [4]helicene subunits with naphthalene, resulting in the synthesis of two novel narrowband bright green quasi-fluorescent emitters, NT-2B and NT-3B for ultra-high-definition displays. These emitters exhibit minimal reorganization energy and Huang-Rhys factor, emitting at 510 and 511 nm in dilute toluene solution with exceptionally narrow full width at half maximum values of 15 and 14 nm, respectively. Notably, NT-2B demonstrates an impressive photoluminescence quantum yield of 92.5 %, rapid radiative decay rate, and slow non-radiative decay rate. Owing to their narrowband emission characteristics and outstanding optoelectronic properties, corresponding OLEDs based on NT-2B demonstrate a high external quantum efficiency of 30.6 %, with an FWHM value of 21.5 nm and a CIEy of 0.74, positioning it as one of the leading narrow-band green emitters.

π-Extension of a Multiple Resonance Core: Double Helical and Heptagon-Embedded Nanographenes

Multiple resonance (MR) boron-nitrogen doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (BN-PAHs) have shown compelling thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), surpassing those of their hydrocarbon analogues. However, the structural variety of π-extended BN-PAHs remains narrow. In this study, we synthesized three double helical BN-doped nanographenes (BN-NGs), 2 a-2 c, and three heptagon-embedded BN-NGs, 1 a-1 c, by π-extension of the MR core. During the formation of 2 a, a nanographene with one heptagon (1 a) was obtained, whereas further dehydrocyclization of the [6]helicene units within 2 b and 2 c led to heptagon structures, yielding other two BN-NGs containing double heptagons (1 b and 1 c). These BN-NGs (2 a-2 c and 1 a-1 c) showed pronounced redshifts of 100-190 nm compared to the parent MR core, while preserving the TADF characteristics and prolonging the delayed fluorescence lifetime to the millisecond level. Furthermore, the integration of a heptagon ring into 1 a-1 c expanded the conjugation, reduced the oxidation potentials, and yielded a more flexible framework compared to those of 2 a-2 c. The enantiomers of 2 a-2 c, 1 a, and 1 c were resolved and their chiroptical properties were studied. Notably, 1 a and 1 c exhibited increased chiroptical dissymmetry factors.

The Golden Age of Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Materials: Design and Exploitation

Since the seminal report by Adachi and co-workers in 2012, there has been a veritable explosion of interest in the design of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) compounds, particularly as emitters for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). With rapid advancements and innovation in materials design, the efficiencies of TADF OLEDs for each of the primary color points as well as for white devices now rival those of state-of-the-art phosphorescent emitters. Beyond electroluminescent devices, TADF compounds have also found increasing utility and applications in numerous related fields, from photocatalysis, to sensing, to imaging and beyond. Following from our previous review in 2017 ( Adv. Mater. 2017, 1605444), we here comprehensively document subsequent advances made in TADF materials design and their uses from 2017-2022. Correlations highlighted between structure and properties as well as detailed comparisons and analyses should assist future TADF materials development. The necessarily broadened breadth and scope of this review attests to the bustling activity in this field. We note that the rapidly expanding and accelerating research activity in TADF material development is indicative of a field that has reached adolescence, with an exciting maturity still yet to come.

Spirobifluorene-fused strategy enables pure-green multiple resonance emitters with low efficiency roll-off

Herein, we present a molecular design strategy centered on the spiroannulation of the MR-core skeleton to fabricate green MR-emitters and reduce device efficiency roll-off. Fusing 9,9'-spirobifluorene into the central framework of MR-emitters facilitates the distribution of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) across the spiro units, leading to a red-shifted emission and giving rise to a pure-green MR-emitter (DPhCz-SFBN) with the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of [0.16, 0.74] in toluene solution, closely matching the BT.2020 standard for green. Additionally, the resultant highly twisted hetero[6]helicene conformation and a nearly perpendicular conformation of spirocycle structure effectively minimize close π-π stacking interactions among the MR-emitting cores, thereby reducing exciton quenching. Consequently, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on DPhCz-SFBN exhibit a high maximum quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 32.8% with low efficiency roll-off, maintaining an EQE of 23.2% at a practical luminance level of 5000 cd m-2.

Regional Functionalization Molecular Design Strategy: A Key to Enhancing the Efficiency of Multi-Resonance OLEDs

Herein, we propose a regional functionalization molecular design strategy that enables independent control of distinct pivotal parameters through different molecule segments. Three novel multiple resonances thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters A-BN, DA-BN, and A-DBN, have been successfully synthesized by integrating highly rigid and three-dimensional adamantane-containing spirofluorene units into the MR framework. These molecules form two distinctive functional parts: part 1 comprises a boron-nitrogen (BN)-MR framework with adjacent benzene and fluorene units forming a central luminescent core characterized by an exceptionally rigid planar geometry, allowing for narrow FWHM values; part 2 includes peripheral mesitylene, benzene, and adamantyl groups, creating a unique three-dimensional "umbrella-like" conformation to mitigate intermolecular interactions and suppress exciton annihilation. The resulting A-BN, DA-BN, and A-DBN exhibit remarkably narrow FWHM values ranging from 18 to 14 nm and near-unity photoluminescence quantum yields. Particularly, OLEDs based on DA-BN and A-DBN demonstrate outstanding efficiencies of 35.0 % and 34.3 %, with FWHM values as low as 22 nm and 25 nm, respectively, effectively accomplishing the integration of high color purity and high device performance.

Highly Horizontal Oriented Tricomponent Exciplex Host with Multiple Reverse Intersystem Crossing Channels for High-Performance Narrowband Electroluminescence and Eye-Protection White Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

Despite multiple-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters with small full-width at half maximum are attractive for wide color-gamut display and eye-protection lighting applications, their inefficient reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) process and long exciton lifetime induce serious efficiency roll-off, which significantly limits their development. Herein, a novel device concept of building highly efficient tricomponent exciplex with multiple RISC channels is proposed to realize reduced exciton quenching and enhanced upconversion of nonradiative triplet excitons, and subsequently used as a host for high-performance MR-TADF organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Compared with traditional binary exciplex, the tricomponent exciplex exhibits obviously improved photoluminescence quantum yield, emitting dipole orientation and RISC rate constant, and a record-breaking external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 30.4% is achieved for tricomponent exciplex p-PhBCzPh: PO-T2T: DspiroAc-TRZ (50: 20: 30) based OLED. Remarkably, maximum EQEs of 36.2% and 40.3% and ultralow efficiency roll-off with EQEs of 26.1% and 30.0% at 1000 cd m-2 are respectively achieved for its sky-blue and pure-green MR-TADF doped OLEDs. Additionally, the blue emission unit hosted by tricomponent exciplex is combined with an orange-red TADF emission unit to achieve a double-emission-layer blue-hazard-free warm white OLED with an EQEmax of 30.3% and stable electroluminescence spectra over a wide brightness range.

Synthetic progress of organic thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters via C-H activation and functionalization

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters have become increasingly prominent due to their promising applications across various fields, prompting a continuous demand for developing reliable synthetic methods to access them. This review aims to highlight the progress made in the last decade in synthesizing organic TADF compounds through C-H bond activation and functionalization. The review begins with a brief introduction to the basic features and design principles of TADF emitters. It then provides an overview of the advantages and concise development of C-H bond transformations in constructing TADF emitters. Subsequently, it summarizes both transition-metal-catalyzed and non-transition-metal-promoted C-H bond transformations used for the synthesis of TADF emitters. Finally, the review gives an outlook on further challenges and potential directions in this field.

B‒N covalent bond-involved π-extension of multiple resonance emitters enables high-performance narrowband electroluminescence

Multi-boron-embedded multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters show promise for achieving both high color-purity emission and high exciton utilization efficiency. However, their development is often impeded by a limited synthetic scope and excessive molecular weights, which challenge material acquisition and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) fabrication by vacuum deposition. Herein, we put forward a B‒N covalent bond-involved π-extension strategy via post-functionalization of MR frameworks, leading to the generation of high-order B/N-based motifs. The structurally and electronically extended π-system not only enhances molecular rigidity to narrow emission linewidth but also promotes reverse intersystem crossing to mitigate efficiency roll-off. As illustrated examples, ultra-narrowband sky-blue emitters (full-width at half-maximum as small as 8 nm in n-hexane) have been developed with multi-dimensional improvement in photophysical properties compared to their precursor emitters, which enables narrowband OLEDs with external quantum efficiencies (EQEmax) of up to 42.6%, in company with alleviated efficiency decline at high brightness, representing the best efficiency reported for single-host OLEDs. The success of these emitters highlights the effectiveness of our molecular design strategy for advanced MR-TADF emitters and confirms their extensive potential in high-performance optoelectronic devices.

Boron-containing helicenes as new generation of chiral materials: opportunities and challenges of leaving the flatland

Increased interest in chiral functional dyes has stimulated activity in the field of boron-containing helicenes over the past few years. Despite the fact that the introduction of boron endows π-conjugated scaffolds with attractive electronic and optical properties, boron helicenes have long remained underdeveloped compared to other helicenes containing main group elements. The main reason was the lack of reliable synthetic protocols to access these scaffolds. The construction of boron helicenes proceeds against steric strain, and thus the methods developed for planar systems have sometimes proven ineffective in their synthesis. Recent advances in the general boron chemistry and the synthesis of strained derivatives have opened the way to a wide variety of boron-containing helicenes. Although the number of helically chiral derivatives is still limited, these compounds are currently at the forefront of emissive materials for circularly-polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs). Yet the design of good emitters is not a trivial task. In this perspective, we discuss a number of requirements that must be met to provide an excellent emissive material. These include chemical and configurational stability, emission quantum yields, luminescence dissymmetry factors, and color purity. Understanding of these parameters and some structure-property relationships should aid in the rational design of superior boron helicenes. We also present the main achievements in their synthesis and point out niches in this area, e.g. stereoselective synthesis, necessary to accelerate the development of this fascinating class of compounds and to realize their potential in OLED devices and in other fields.

Bright, efficient, and stable pure-green hyperfluorescent organic light-emitting diodes by judicious molecular design

To fulfill ultra-high-definition display, efficient and bright green organic light-emitting diodes with Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage y-coordinate ≥ 0.7 are required. Although there are some preceding reports of highly efficient devices based on pure-green multi-resonance emitters, the efficiency rolloff and device stabilities for those pure-green devices are still unsatisfactory. Herein, we report the rational design of two pure-green multi-resonance emitters for achieving highly stable and efficient pure-green devices with CIEx,ys that are close to the NTSC and BT. 2020 standards. In this study, our thermally activated delayed fluorescence OLEDs based on two pure-green multi-resonance emitters result in CIEy up to 0.74. In hyperfluorescent device architecture, the CIExs further meet the x-coordinate requirements, i.e., NTSC (0.21) and BT. 2020 (0.17), while keeping their CIEys ~ 0.7. Most importantly, hyperfluorescent devices display the high maximum external quantum efficiencies of over 25% and maximum luminance of over 105 cd m-2 with suppressed rolloffs (external quantum efficiency of ~20% at 104 cd m-2) and long device stabilities with LT95s of ~ 600 h.

Precision-Engineered Medium-Sized Molecular Host and Emitter for Ensuring Consistent Performance in Solution-Processed Narrowband OLEDs

In this study, two novel multiple resonance (MR) emitters, DtCzBN and Cy-DtCzBN, were designed based on the well-known BCzBN structure and synthesized for narrowband solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Cy-DtCzBN possesses a dimeric V-shaped structure formed by coupling two individual DtCzBN units via a nonconjugated cyclohexane linker. When compared with DtCzBN, Cy-DtCzBN, as a medium-sized molecule, was found to maintain the optical and photophysical properties of the corresponding monomeric unit, DtCzBN, but exhibits high thermal stability, excellent solubility, and good film-forming ability. Additionally, solution-processed OLEDs were fabricated by using two sets of molecules: one set of small molecular hosts and emitters (i.e., mCP and DtCzBN) and the other set of medium-sized molecular hosts and emitters (i.e., Cy-mCP and Cy-DtCzBN). Notably, devices using medium-sized molecular hosts and emitters exhibited similar optical and photophysical properties but showed significantly improved reproducibility and thermal stability compared with those based on small molecular hosts and emitters. Our current study provides some insights into molecular design strategies for thermally stable hosts and emitters, which are highly suitable for solution-processed OLEDs.

Organoboron-based multiple-resonance emitters: synthesis, structure-property correlations, and prospects

Boron-based multiple-resonance (MR) emitters exhibit the advantages of narrowband emission, high absolute photoluminescence quantum yield, thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), and sufficient stability during the operation of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Thus, such MR emitters have been widely applied as blue emitters in triplet-triplet-annihilation-driven fluorescent devices used in smartphones and televisions. Moreover, they hold great promise as TADF or terminal emitters in TADF-assisted fluorescence or phosphor-sensitised fluorescent OLEDs. Herein we comprehensively review organoboron-based MR emitters based on their synthetic strategies, clarify structure-photophysical property correlations, and provide design guidelines and future development prospects.

Recent progress in multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters with an efficient reverse intersystem crossing process

Multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters have become an active research topic at the forefront of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) owing to their excellent photophysical properties such as high efficiency and narrow emission characteristics. However, MR-TADF materials always exhibit slow reverse intersystem crossing rates (kRISC) due to the large energy gap and small spin-orbit coupling values between singlet and triplet excited states. In order to optimize the RISC process, strategies such as heavy-atom-integration, metal perturbation, π-conjugation extension and peripheral decoration of donor/acceptor units have been proposed to construct efficient MR-TADF materials for high-performance OLEDs. This article provides an overview of the recent progress in MR-TADF emitters with an efficient RISC process, focusing on the structure-activity relationship between the molecular structure, optoelectronic feature, and OLED performance. Finally, the potential challenges and future prospects of MR-TADF materials are discussed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the opportunities for efficient narrowband OLEDs.

Indolo[3,2-b]indole-based multi-resonance emitters for efficient narrowband pure-green organic light-emitting diodes

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) utilizing multi-resonance (MR) emitters show great potential in ultrahigh-definition display benefitting from superior merits of MR emitters such as high color purity and photoluminescence quantum yields. However, the scarcity of narrowband pure-green MR emitters with novel backbones and facile synthesis has limited their further development. Herein, two novel pure-green MR emitters (IDIDBN and tBuIDIDBN) are demonstrated via replacing the carbazole subunits in the bluish-green BCzBN skeleton with new polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) units, 5-phenyl-5,10-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]indole (IDID) and 5-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-5,10-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]indole (tBuIDID), to simultaneously enlarge the π-conjugation and enhance the electron-donating strength. Consequently, a successful red shift from aquamarine to pure-green is realized for IDIDBN and tBuIDIDBN with photoluminescence maxima peaking at 529 and 532 nm, along with Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.25, 0.71) and (0.28, 0.70). Furthermore, both emitters revealed narrowband emission with small full width at half-maximum (FWHM) below 28 nm. Notably, the narrowband pure-green emission was effectively preserved in corresponding devices, which afford elevated maximum external quantum efficiencies of 16.3% and 18.3% for IDIDBN and tBuIDIDBN.

Rational Medium-Range Charge Transfer Strategy Toward Highly Efficient Violet-Blue Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with Narrowed Emission

The spectral narrowing engineering of pure-organic emitters attracts great research interests in realizing high color purity. Here, the adjusted medium-range charge transfer (MCT) strategy of TIC-BO with rigid planar structure by fusing two typical UV-emitting multiple resonance (MR) fragments via the ingenious double-halide cyclized coupling reaction is reported. The resulting TIC-BO with MCT nature shows efficient violet-blue emission in dilute toluene and evaporated host-guest films, and desirably narrowed spectra are achieved by the suppression of structural relaxation and the shortened charge transfer states. The single-doped device with TIC-BO as emitter shows narrowed violet-blue electroluminescence peaked at 428 nm with full-width at half-maximum of 43 nm (0.28 eV), and the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage coordinates of (0.160, 0.050). A maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax ) of 20.50% is achieved, which is among the best results of the corresponding violet-blue emitting region. Further introduction of a stronger electron-donating carbazole group makes TIC-BNO exhibit red-shifted sky-blue emission with MR-dominant properties, and good device performance is received with EQEmax of 34.58%. The outstanding performances of TIC-BO successfully demonstrate the significance and prospect of the proposed molecular design strategy.

Frontier Molecular Orbital Engineering: Constructing Highly Efficient Narrowband Organic Electroluminescent Materials

It is of great strategic significance to develop highly efficient narrowband organic electroluminescent materials that can be utilized to manufacture ultra-high-definition (UHD) displays and meet or approach the requirements of Broadcast Television 2020 (B.T.2020) color gamut standards. This motif poses challenges for molecular design and synthesis, especially for developing generality, diversity, scalability, and robustness of molecular structures. The emergence of multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters has ingeniously solved the problems and demonstrated bright application prospects in the field of UHD displays, sparking a research boom. This Minireview summarizes the research endeavors of narrowband organic electroluminescent materials, with emphasis on the tremendous contribution of frontier molecular orbital engineering (FMOE) strategy. It combines the outstanding advantages of MR framework and donor-acceptor (D-A) structure, and can achieve red-shift and narrowband emission simultaneously, which is of great significance in the development of long-wavelength narrowband emitters with emission maxima especially exceeding 500 nm. We hope that this Minireview would provide some inspiration for what could transpire in the future.

Narrowband Fluorescent Emitters Based on BN-Doped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons for Efficient and Stable Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using conventional fluorescent emitters are currently attracting considerable interests due to outstanding stability and abundant raw materials. To construct high-performance narrowband fluorophores to satisfy requirements of ultra-high-definition displays, a strategy fusing multi-resonance BN-doped moieties to naphthalene is proposed to construct two novel narrowband fluorophores. Green Na-sBN and red Na-dBN, manifest narrow full-width at half-maxima of 31 nm, near-unity photoluminescence quantum yields and molecular horizontal dipole ratios above 90 %. Their OLEDs exhibit the state-of-the-art performances including high external quantum efficiencies (EQE), ultra-low efficiency roll-off and long operational lifetimes. The Na-sBN-based device achieves EQE as high as 28.8 % and remains 19.8 % even at luminance of 100,000 cd m-2 , and Na-dBN-based device acquires a record-high EQE of 25.2 % among all red OLEDs using pure fluorescent emitters.

B-N/B-O Contained Heterocycles as Fusion Locker in Multi-Resonance Frameworks towards Highly-efficient and Stable Ultra-Narrowband Emission

Fusing condensed aromatics into multi-resonance (MR) frameworks has been an exquisite strategy to modulate the optoelectronic properties, which, however, always sacrifices the small full width at half maxima (FWHM). Herein, we strategically embed B-N/B-O contained heterocycles as fusion locker into classical MR prototypes, which could enlarge the π-extension and alleviate the steric repulsion for an enhanced planar skeleton to suppress the high-frequency stretching/ scissoring vibrations for ultra-narrowband emissions. Sky-blue emitters with extremely small FWHMs of 17-18 nm are thereafter obtained for the targeted emitters, decreased by (1.4-1.9)-fold compared with the prototypes. Benefiting from their high photoluminescence quantum yields of >90 % and fast radiative decay rates of >108  s-1 , one of those emitters shows a high maximum external quantum efficiency of 31.9 % in sensitized devices, which remains 25.8 % at a practical luminance of 1,000 cd m-2 with a small FWHM of merely 19 nm. Notably a long operation half-lifetime of 1,278 h is also recorded for the same device, representing one of the longest lifetimes among sky-blue devices based on MR emitters.

Naphthalene-Embedded Multi-Resonance Emitters Enabling Efficient Narrow Emissive Blue OLEDs

Great achievements have been made in the development of organic light-emitting diodes in recent decades. However, achieving high color purity for blue emitters remains a challenge. In this study, we have designed and synthesized three naphthalene (NA)-embedded multi-resonance (MR) emitters, named SNA, SNB and SNB1, based on N-B-O frameworks with isomer variations for finely adjusting the photophysical properties. These emitters show tunable blue emission with emission peaks of 450-470 nm. Small full width of half maximum (FWHM) of 25-29 nm are achieved in these emitters, indicating the well maintaining of molecular rigidity and MR effect with NA extension. Such design also ensures a fast radiative decay. However, no obvious delayed fluorescence is observed in all three emitters due to the relatively large energy differences between the first singlet and triplet excited states. Both SNA and SNB enable high electroluminescent (EL) performance in doped devices with external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 7.2 and 7.9 %, respectively. When applying the sensitized strategy, devices based on SNA and SNB show huge improvement with EQE of 29.3 and 29.1 %. More importantly, SNB with twist geometry enables stable EL spectra with almost unchanged FWHM under different doping concentrations. This work demonstrates the potential of NA extension design in constructing narrowband emissive blue emitters.

Pure Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Isomerides with Delayed Fluorescence and Anti-Kasha Emission: High-Efficiency Non-Doped Fluorescence OLEDs

Pure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) consisting solely of carbon-hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds offer great potential for constructing durable and cost-effective emitters in organic electroluminescence devices. However, achieving versatile fluorescence characteristics in pure PAHs remains a considerable challenge, particularly without the inclusion of heteroatoms. Herein, an efficient approach is presented that involves incorporating non-six-membered rings into classical pyrene isomerides, enabling simultaneous achievement of full-color emission, delayed fluorescence, and anti-Kasha emission. Theoretical calculations reveal that the intensity and distribution of aromaticity/anti-aromaticity in both ground and excited states play a crucial role in determining the excited levels and fluorescence yields. Transient fluorescence measurements confirm the existence of thermally activated delayed fluorescence in pure PAHs. By utilizing these PAHs as emitting layers, electroluminescent spectra covering the entire visible region along with a maximum external quantum efficiency of 9.1% can be achieved, leading to the most exceptional results among non-doped pure hydrocarbon-based devices.

Constructing Highly Efficient Circularly Polarized Multiple-Resonance Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Materials with Intrinsically Helical Chirality

Advanced circularly polarized multiple-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (CP-MR-TADF) materials synergize the advantages of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL), narrowband emission, and the TADF characteristic, which can be fabricated into highly efficient circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) with high color purity, directly facing the urgent market strategic demand of ultrahigh-definition and 3D displays. In this work, based on an edge-topology molecular-engineering (ETME) strategy, a pair of high-performance CP-MR-TADF enantiomers, (P and M)-BN-Py, is developed, which merges the intrinsically helical chirality into the MR framework. The optimized CP-OLEDs with (P and M)-BN-Py emitters and the newly developed ambipolar transport host PhCbBCz exhibit pure green emission with sharp peaks of 532 nm, full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 37 nm, and Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.29, 0.68). Importantly, they achieve remarkable maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 30.6% and 29.2%, and clear circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL) signals with electroluminescence dissymmetry factors (gEL s) of -4.37 × 10-4 and +4.35 × 10-4 for (P)-BN-Py and (M)-BN-Py, respectively.

Precisely regulating the double-boron-based multi-resonance framework towards pure-red emitters: high-performance OLEDs with CIE coordinates fully satisfying the BT. 2020 standard

Here, we propose a new simple and effective strategy for designing pure-red multi-resonance (MR) emitters through precisely regulating the double-boron-based MR framework. The two designed emitters exhibit ultrapure red emission together with superb photophysical properties, and further enable high-performance, high color-purity red OLEDs.

Orbital Symmetry Engineering in Fused Polycyclic Heteroaromatics toward Extremely Narrowband Green Emissions with an FWHM of 13 nm

Multiresonance (MR) molecules generally face spectral broadening issues with redshifted emissions. Thus, green emitters with full widths at half maximum (FWHMs) of <20 nm are rarely reported, despite being highly desired. Herein, by properly fusing indolo(3,2,1-jk)carbazole (ICZ) and naphthalene moieties, green MR emitters are reported, which have FWHMs of merely 13 nm (0.064 eV) and 14 nm (0.069 eV) in dichloromethane, accompanied by high photoluminescence quantum yields of >95%, which represent not only the smallest FWHMs among all green MR emitters but also the first green emitters based on ICZ MR derivatives. Theoretical studies reveal that the orbital interactions between the antisymmetric sites of the segments play an important role in extending the conjugation length in the fusion architectures while simultaneously maintaining a small FWHM. The corresponding organic light-emitting diodes exhibit green emission peaks at 508-509 nm and the first green electroluminescence FWHM of <20 nm ever reported. Benefiting from the preferential horizontal dipole orientation, a high maximum external quantum efficiency of up to 30.9% is obtained, which remains at 28.9% and 23.2% under luminances of 1000 and 10 000 cd m^-2 , respectively, outperforming most reported green devices based on narrowband emitters.

Energy-Efficient Stable Hyperfluorescence Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with Improved Color Purities and Ultrahigh Power Efficiencies Based on Low-Polar Sensitizing Systems

Multi-resonance (MR) molecules with thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) are emerging as promising candidates for high-definition displays because of their narrow emission spectra. However, the electroluminescence (EL) efficiencies and spectra of MR-TADF molecules are highly sensitive to hosts and sensitizers when applied to organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and the highly polar environments in devices often lead to significantly broadened EL spectra. In this study, a proof-of-concept TADF sensitizer (BTDMAC-XT) with low polarity, high steric hindrance, and concentration-quenching free feature is constructed, which acts as a good emitter in doped and non-doped OLEDs with high external quantum efficiencies (η_ext s) of 26.7% and 29.3%, respectively. By combining BTDMAC-XT with conventional low-polarity hosts, low-polarity sensitizing systems with a small carrier injection barrier and full exciton utilization are constructed for the MR-TADF molecule BN2. Hyperfluorescence (HF) OLEDs employing the low-polar sensitizing systems successfully improve the color quality of BN2 and afford an excellent η_ext of 34.4%, a record-high power efficiency of 166.3 lm W^-1 and a long operational lifetime (LT₅₀  = 40309 h) at an initial luminance of 100 cd m^-2 . These results provide instructive guidance for the sensitizer design and device optimization for energy-efficient and stable HF-OLEDs with high-quality light.

New Fields, New Opportunities and New Challenges: Circularly Polarized Multiple Resonance Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Materials

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials that concurrently exhibit high efficiency and narrowband emission are extremely promising applications in 3D and wide color gamut display. By merging the CPL optical property and multiple resonance (MR) induced thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) characteristic into one molecule, a new strategy, namely CP-MR-TADF, is proposed to generate organic emitters with CPL activity, TADF and narrowband emission. High-performance red, green and blue CP-MR-TADF emitters have been developed following this strategy. Herein, the present status and progress of CP-MR-TADF materials in the field of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) is summarized. Finally, for this rapidly growing new research field, the future opportunities are forecasted and the present challenges are discussed.

Precise Functionalization of a Multiple-Resonance Framework: Constructing Narrowband Organic Electroluminescent Materials with External Quantum Efficiency over 40

It is of important strategic significance to develop high-efficiency narrowband organic electroluminescent materials that can be employed to fabricate ultrahigh-definition displays with wide color gamut. This topic implies a great challenge to molecular design and synthesis, especially for the development of universality, diversity, scalability, and robustness of molecular architectonics. In this work, a synthetic methodology is demonstrated for functionalizing brominated BN-containing multiple-resonance (MR) frameworks with multifarious functional groups, such as donors, acceptors, and moieties without obvious push-pull electron properties. The m-DPAcP-BNCz-based organic light-emitting diode (OLED) exhibits green emission with a full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 28 nm and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 40.6%. The outstanding performance of m-DPAcP-BNCz is attributed to the perfect integration of the inherent advantages of the MR framework and the donor-acceptor configuration, which can not only achieve bathochromic shift and narrowband emission, but also obtain high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (ΦPL ) and horizontal emitting dipole orientation ratio (Θ// ). This straightforward and efficient approach provides insightful guidance for the construction and enrichment of more high-efficiency narrowband emitters.