Tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium, abbreviated [Ir(ppy)3] is the organoiridium complex with the formula Ir(C6H4-C5H4N)3. The complex, a yellow-green solid, is a derivative of Ir3+ bound to three monoanionic 2-pyridinylphenyl ligands. It is electroluminescent, emitting green light. The complex is observed with the facial stereochemistry, which is chiral. The complex is prepared by cyclometalation reactions of 2-phenylpyridine and iridium trichloride, as represented by this idealized equation:
IrCl3 + 3 C6H5-C5H4N → Ir(C6H4-C5H4N)3 + 3 HCl The complex and many analogues have been investigated for application in photoredox catalysis. Its excited state has an oxidative potential of −2.14 V, nearly 1 V more negative than the oxidative potential of excited [Ru(bipy)3]2+.
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