Sensitized near-infrared emission from ytterbium(iii)via direct energy transfer from iridium(iii) in a heterometallic neutral complex

Abstract

A tetrametallic iridium–ytterbium complex has been synthesised that shows sensitized near-infrared emission (λ_max = 976 nm) upon excitation of the iridium unit in the visible region (400 nm) due to efficient energy transfer from the iridium units to the Yb(III) ion. The iridium phosphorescence is quenched nearly quantitatively while the ytterbium ion emits brightly in the NIR.