Patent Description:
Organic electroluminescent devices containing one or more light-emitting layers based on organics such as, e.g., organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), light emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) and light-emitting transistors gain increasing importance. In particular, OLEDs are promising devices for electronic products such as e.g. screens, displays and illumination devices. In contrast to most electroluminescent devices essentially based on inorganics, organic electroluminescent devices based on organics are often rather flexible and producible in particularly thin layers. The OLED-based screens and displays already available today bear particularly beneficial brilliant colors, contrasts and are comparably efficient with respect to their energy consumption.

A central element of an organic electroluminescent device for generating light is a light-emitting layer placed between an anode and a cathode. When a voltage (and current) is applied to an organic electroluminescent device, holes and electrons are injected from an anode and a cathode, respectively, to the light-emitting layer. Typically, a hole transport layer is located between light-emitting layer and the anode, and an electron transport layer is located between light-emitting layer and the cathode. The different layers are sequentially disposed. Excitons of high energy are then generated by recombination of the holes and the electrons. The decay of such excited states (e.g., singlet states such as S1 and/or triplet states such as T1) to the ground state (S0) desirably leads to light emission.

In order to enable efficient energy transport and emission, an organic electroluminescent device comprises one or more host compounds and one or more emitter compounds as dopants.

Challenges when generating organic electroluminescent devices are thus the improvement of the illumination level of the devices (i.e., brightness per current), obtaining a desired light spectrum and achieving suitable (long) lifespans.

There is still a lack of efficient and stable OLEDs that emit in the visible light spectrum. Accordingly, there is still the unmet technical need for organic electroluminescent devices which have a long lifetime and high quantum yields. Documents <CIT>) and <CIT>) disclose OLEDs comprising a host, a thermally activated delayed fluorescence material and a depopulation material in the light emitting layer.

Surprisingly, it has been found that an organic electroluminescent device's light-emitting layer comprising one thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) material, a depopulation agent and a host material provides an organic electroluminescent device having good lifetime and quantum yields and exhibiting emission in the visible.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device which comprises a light-emitting layer B comprising:.

According to the invention, the lowermost excited singlet state of the host material HB is higher in energy than the lowermost excited singlet state of the thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) material EB.

The lowermost excited singlet state of the host material HB is higher in energy than the lowermost excited singlet state of the depopulation agent SB. The lowermost excited singlet state of the TADF material EB is lower in energy than the lowermost excited singlet state of the depopulation agent SB.

In one aspect of the invention, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the TADF material EB (EHOMO(EB)) is higher in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the host material HB (EHOMO(HB)) (i.e. the TADF material EB acts as the main hole transport material). In this aspect, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the depopulation agent SB (EHOMO(SB)) is higher in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the TADF material EB (EHOMO(EB)). Preferably, the energy difference between EHOMO(SB) - EHOMO(EB) is at least <NUM> eV and not more than <NUM> eV, in particular at least <NUM> eV and not more than <NUM> eV.

In an alternative aspect of the invention, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the host material HB (EHOMO(HB)) is higher in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the TADF material EB (EHOMO(EB)) (i.e. the host material HB acts as the main hole transport material). In this aspect, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the depopulation agent SB(EHOMO(SB)) is higher in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the host material HB (EHOMO(HB)). Preferably, the energy difference between EHOMO(SB) - EHOMO(HB) is at least <NUM> eV and not more than <NUM> eV, in particular at least <NUM> eV and not more than <NUM> eV. Preferably, the energy difference between EHOMO(SB) - EHOMO(EB) is at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, or at least <NUM> eV. Preferably, the energy difference between EHOMO(SB) - EHOMO(EB) is not more than <NUM> eV, not more than <NUM> eV, not more than <NUM> eV, not more than <NUM> eV, not more than <NUM> eV, or not more than <NUM> eV.

In an alternative aspect of the invention, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the host material HB is equal in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the TADF material EB. In this aspect, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the depopulation agent SB (EHOMO(SB)) is higher in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the host material HB (EHOMO(HB)) and/or the highest occupied molecular orbital of the TADF material EB (EHOMO(EB)). Preferably, the energy difference between EHOMO(SB) - EHOMO(HB) and/or the energy difference between EHOMO(SB) - EHOMO(EB) is at least <NUM> eV and not more than <NUM> eV, in particular at least <NUM> eV and not more than <NUM> eV. Preferably, the energy difference between EHOMO(SB) - EHOMO(HB) is at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, at least <NUM> eV, or at least <NUM> eV. Preferably, the energy difference between EHOMO(SB) - EHOMO(HB) is not more than <NUM> eV, not more than <NUM> eV, not more than <NUM> eV, not more than <NUM> eV, not more than <NUM> eV, or not more than <NUM> eV.

As used herein, the terms "TADF material" and "TADF emitter" and "TADF emitters" may be understood interchangeably. When one of the terms "emitter" "emitter compound" or the like is used, this may be understood in that preferably a TADF material of the present invention is meant, in particular one or those designated as EB.

According to the present invention, a TADF material is characterized in that it exhibits a ΔEST value, which corresponds to the energy difference between the lowermost excited singlet state (S1) and the lowermost excited triplet state (T1), of less than <NUM> eV, preferably less than <NUM> eV, more preferably less than <NUM> eV.

Accordingly in an embodiment of the present invention, the TADF material EB is characterized in that it has a ΔEST value, which corresponds to the energy difference between S1E and T1E, of less than <NUM> eV. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the TADF material EB is characterized in that it has a ΔEST value of less than <NUM> eV, less than <NUM> eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the lowermost excited triplet state of the host material HB (T1H) is higher in energy than the lowermost excited triplet state of the TADF material EB (T1E): T1H > T1E.

In one embodiment of the invention, mass ratio of TADF material EB to the depopulation agent SB (EB : SB) is ><NUM>. In one embodiment of the invention, the mass ratio EB : SB is in the range of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, in the range of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, or in the range of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. For example, the mass ratio EB : SB is in the range of (approximately) <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, or <NUM>:<NUM>.

As used herein, the terms organic electroluminescent device and opto-electronic light-emitting devices may be understood in the broadest sense as any device comprising a light-emitting layer B comprising a host material HB, a TADF material EB and a depopulation agent SB.

It will be understood that the light-emitting layer B may also comprise more than one TADF materials EB and/or more than one depopulation agent SB each having the properties as described herein. According to the present invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises at least one TADF material EB and at least one depopulation agent SB each having the properties as described herein. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises one TADF material EB and one depopulation agent SB each having the properties as described herein.

The organic electroluminescent device may be understood in the broadest sense as any device based on organic materials that is suitable for emitting light in the visible or nearest ultraviolet (UV) range, i.e., in the range of a wavelength of from <NUM> to <NUM>. More preferably, organic electroluminescent device may be able to emit light in the visible range, i.e., of from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the organic electroluminescent device is a device selected from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a light emitting electrochemical cell (LEC), and a light-emitting transistor.

Particularly preferably, the organic electroluminescent device is an organic light emitting diode (OLED). Optionally, the organic electroluminescent device as a whole may be intransparent, semi-transparent or (essentially) transparent.

The term "layer" as used in the context of the present invention preferably is a body that bears an extensively planar geometry. The light-emitting layer B preferably bears a thickness of not more than <NUM>, more preferably not more than <NUM>, even more preferably not more than <NUM>, even more preferably not more than <NUM>, in particular not more than <NUM>.

The person skilled in the art will notice that the light-emitting layer B will typically be incorporated in the organic electroluminescent device of the present invention. Preferably, such organic electroluminescent device comprises at least the following layers: at least one light-emitting layer B, at least one anode layer A and at least one cathode layer C.

Preferably, the anode layer A contains at least one component selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, PbO, SnO, graphite, doped silicium, doped germanium, doped GaAs, doped polyaniline, doped polypyrrole, doped polythiophene, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

Preferably, the cathode layer C contains at least one component selected from the group consisting of Al, Au, Ag, Pt, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, Pb, In, W, Pd, LiF, Ca, Ba, Mg, and mixtures or alloys of two or more thereof.

Preferably, the light-emitting layer B is located between an anode layer A and a cathode layer C. Accordingly, the general set-up is preferably A - B - C. This does of course not exclude the presence of one or more optional further layers. These can be present at each side of A, of B and/or of C.

In a preferred embodiment, the organic electroluminescent device comprises at least the following layers:.

wherein the light-emitting layer B is located between the anode layer A and the a cathode layer C.

In one embodiment, when the organic electroluminescent device is an OLED, it may optionally comprise the following layer structure:.

Preferably, the order of the layers herein is A - HTL - B - ETL - C.

Furthermore, the organic electroluminescent device may optionally comprise one or more protective layers protecting the device from damaging exposure to harmful species in the environment including, exemplarily moisture, vapor and/or gases.

Preferably, the anode layer A is located on the surface of a substrate. The substrate may be formed by any material or composition of materials. Most frequently, glass slides are used as substrates. Alternatively, thin metal layers (e.g., copper, gold, silver or aluminum films) or plastic films or slides may be used. This may allow a higher degree of flexibility. The anode layer A is mostly composed of materials allowing to obtain an (essentially) transparent film. As at least one of both electrodes should be (essentially) transparent in order to allow light emission from the OLED, either the anode layer A or the cathode layer C transparent. Preferably, the anode layer A comprises a large content or even consists of transparent conductive oxides (TCOs).

Such anode layer A may exemplarily comprise indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, fluor tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, PbO, SnO, zirconium oxide, molybdenum oxide, vanadium oxide, wolfram oxide, graphite, doped Si, doped Ge, doped GaAs, doped polyaniline, doped polypyrrol and/or doped polythiophene.

Particularly preferably, the anode layer A (essentially) consists of indium tin oxide (ITO) (e.g., (InO<NUM>)<NUM>(SnO<NUM>)<NUM>). The roughness of the anode layer A caused by the transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) may be compensated by using a hole injection layer (HIL). Further, the HIL may facilitate the injection of quasi charge carriers (i.e., holes) in that the transport of the quasi charge carriers from the TCO to the hole transport layer (HTL) is facilitated. The hole injection layer (HIL) may comprise poly-<NUM>,<NUM>-ethylendioxy thiophene (PEDOT), polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), MoO<NUM>, V<NUM>O<NUM>, CuPC or Cul, in particular a mixture of PEDOT and PSS. The hole injection layer (HIL) may also prevent the diffusion of metals from the anode layer A into the hole transport layer (HTL). The HIL may exemplarily comprise PEDOT:PSS (poly-<NUM>,<NUM>-ethylendioxy thiophene: polystyrene sulfonate), PEDOT (poly-<NUM>,<NUM>-ethylendioxy thiophene), mMTDATA (<NUM>,<NUM>',<NUM>"-tris[phenyl(m-tolyl)amino]triphenylamine), Spiro-TAD (<NUM>,<NUM>',<NUM>,<NUM>'-tetrakis(n,n-diphenylamino)-<NUM>,<NUM>'-spirobifluorene), DNTPD (N1,N1'-(biphenyl-<NUM>,<NUM>'-diyl)bis(N1-phenyl-N4,N4-di-m-tolylbenzene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diamine), NPB (N,N'-nis-(<NUM>-naphthalenyl)-N,N'-bis-phenyl-(<NUM>,<NUM>'-biphenyl)-<NUM>,<NUM>'-diamine), NPNPB (N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-di-[<NUM>-(N,N-diphenyl-amino)-phenyl]benzidine), MeO-TPD (N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(<NUM>-methoxyphenyl)-benzi-dine), HAT-CN (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-hexaazatriphenylen-hexacarbonitrile) and/or Spiro-NPD (N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-bis-(<NUM>-naphthyl)-<NUM>,<NUM>'-spirobifluorene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diamine).

Adjacent to the anode layer A or hole injection layer (HIL) typically a hole transport layer (HTL) is located. Herein, any hole transport compound may be used. Exemplarily, electron-rich heteroaromatic compounds such as triarylamines and/or carbazoles may be used as hole transport compound. The HTL may decrease the energy barrier between the anode layer A and the light-emitting layer B (serving as emitting layer (EML)). The hole transport layer (HTL) may also be an electron blocking layer (EBL). Preferably, hole transport compounds bear comparably high energy levels of their triplet states T1. Exemplarily the hole transport layer (HTL) may comprise a star-shaped heterocycle such as tris(<NUM>-carbazoyl-<NUM>-ylphenyl)amine (TCTA), poly-TPD (poly(<NUM>-butylphenyl-diphenyl-amine)), [alpha]-NPD (poly(<NUM>-butylphenyl-diphenyl-amine)), TAPC (<NUM>,<NUM>'-cyclohexyliden-bis[N,N-bis(<NUM>-methylphenyl)benzenamine]), <NUM>-TNATA (<NUM>,<NUM>',<NUM>"-tris[<NUM>-naphthyl(phenyl)-amino]triphenylamine), Spiro-TAD, DNTPD, NPB, NPNPB, MeO-TPD, HAT-CN and/or TrisPcz (<NUM>,<NUM>'-diphenyl-<NUM>-(<NUM>-phenyl-<NUM>-carbazol-<NUM>-yl)-<NUM>,<NUM>'H-<NUM>,<NUM>'-bicarbazole). In addition, the HTL may comprise a p-doped layer, which may be composed of an inorganic or organic dopant in an organic hole-transporting matrix. Transition metal oxides such as vanadium oxide, molybdenum oxide or tungsten oxide may exemplarily be used as inorganic dopant.

Tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ), copper-pentafluorobenzoate (Cu(I)pFBz) or transition metal complexes may exemplarily be used as organic dopant.

The EBL may exemplarily comprise mCP (<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(carbazol-<NUM>-yl)benzene), TCTA, <NUM>-TNATA, mCBP (<NUM>,<NUM>-di(<NUM>-carbazol-<NUM>-yl)biphenyl), <NUM>-[<NUM>-(dibenzofuran-<NUM>-yl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, <NUM>-[<NUM>-(dibenzofuran-<NUM>-yl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, <NUM>-[<NUM>-(dibenzothiophen-<NUM>-yl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, <NUM>-[<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-dibenzofuranyl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, <NUM>-[<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-dibenzothiophenyl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, tris-Pcz, CzSi (<NUM>-(<NUM>-tert-butylphenyl)-<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(triphenylsilyl)-<NUM>-carbazole), and/or DCB (N,N'-dicarbazolyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylbenzene).

In one embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is selected from the group consisting of a fluorescence emitter and an organic TADF emitter, whereas the organic TADF emitter is characterized in that it has a ΔEST value, which corresponds to the energy difference between S1S and T1S, of less than <NUM> eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is an organic TADF emitter or a combination of two or more organic TADF emitters. In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is an organic TADF emitter.

In another embodiment of the invention, the relation expressed by formula (6a), (6b) or (6c) applies: <MAT> <MAT> <MAT>.

In another embodiment of the invention, the relation between the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital LUMO(EB) of the TADF material EB having an energy ELUMO(EB) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital LUMO(SB) of the depopulation agent SB having an energy ELUMO(SB) expressed by formula (<NUM>) applies: <MAT>.

In one embodiment of the invention, the relation expressed by formulas (<NUM>) applies: <MAT>.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the depopulation agent SB is a TADF material, i.e., one or more TADF emitter. Accordingly in an embodiment of the present invention, the depopulation agent SB is characterized in that it has a ΔEST value, which corresponds to the energy difference between S1S and T1S, of less than <NUM> eV. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the depopulation agent SB is characterized in that it has a ΔEST value of less than <NUM> eV, less than <NUM> eV, less than <NUM> eV, or even less than <NUM> eV.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the TADF material EB and the depopulation agent SB are both organic TADF emitters.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lowermost excited triplet state energy level T1E of the TADF material EB is between <NUM> eV and <NUM> eV, preferably between <NUM> eV and <NUM> eV, more preferably between <NUM> eV and <NUM> eV or even between <NUM> eV and <NUM> eV.

According to the invention, the emission layer B comprises at least one host material HB, the TADF material EB and the depopulation agent SB.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises <NUM>-<NUM> %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight of the host compound HB.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises <NUM>-<NUM> %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight of the TADF material EB.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises <NUM>-<NUM> %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight of the depopulation agent SB.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the TADF material EB is an organic TADF emitter or a combination of two or more organic TADF emitters.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is an organic TADF emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises <NUM>-<NUM> %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight of the depopulation agent SB.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is a NRCT emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises <NUM>-<NUM> %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight of the depopulation agent SB.

In one embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is a fluorescence emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises <NUM>-<NUM> %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight of the depopulation agent SB.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the TADF material EB is an organic TADF emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises <NUM>-<NUM> %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight of the TADF material EB.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the TADF material EB is a NRCT emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises <NUM>-<NUM> %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight of the TADF material EB.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises up to <NUM> % by weight of one or more further host compounds HB2 differing from HB.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises up to <NUM> % by weight of one or more solvents.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises (or consists of):.

Preferably, the contents of (i) to (v) sum up to <NUM> % by weight.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB and the TADF material EB are each independently from each other a NRCT emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises (or consists of):.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is an organic TADF emitter and the TADF material EB is a NRCT emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises (or consists of):.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a NRCT emitter and the TADF material EB is an organic TADF emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises (or consists of):.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a fluorescence emitter and the TADF material EB is a NRCT emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises (or consists of):.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a fluorescence emitter and the TADF material EB is an organic TADF emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises (or consists of):.

Exemplarily, the host material HB and/or the optionally present further host compound HB2 may be selected from the group consisting of CBP (<NUM>,<NUM>'-Bis-(N-carbazolyl)-biphenyl), mCP, mCBP Sif87 (dibenzo[b,d]thiophen-<NUM>-yltriphenylsilane), CzSi, Sif88 (dibenzo[b,d]thiophen-<NUM>-yl)diphenylsilane), DPEPO (bis[<NUM>-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl] ether oxide), <NUM>-[<NUM>-(dibenzofuran-<NUM>-yl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, <NUM>-[<NUM>-(dibenzofuran-<NUM>-yl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, <NUM>-[<NUM>-(dibenzothio-phen-<NUM>-yl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, <NUM>-[<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-dibenzofuranyl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, <NUM>-[<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-dibenzothiophenyl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, T2T (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tris(biphenyl-<NUM>-yl)-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazine), T3T (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tris(triphenyl-<NUM>-yl)-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazine) and/or TST (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tris(<NUM>,<NUM>'-spirobifluorene-<NUM>-yl)-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazine). In one embodiment of the invention, the emission layer B comprises a so-called mixed-host system with at least one hole-dominant (n-type) host and one electron-dominant (p-type) host.

In one embodiment, the emission layer B comprises the TADF material EB and the depopulation agent SB (which is exemplarily a second TADF material SB), and hole-dominant host HB selected from the group consisting of CBP, mCP, mCBP, <NUM>-[<NUM>-(dibenzofuran-<NUM>-yl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, <NUM>-[<NUM>-(dibenzofuran-<NUM>-yl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, <NUM>-[<NUM>-(dibenzothiophen-<NUM>-yl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole, <NUM>-[<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-dibenzofuranyl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole and <NUM>-[<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-dibenzothiophenyl)phenyl]-<NUM>H-carbazole.

As used herein, if not defined more specifically in a particular context, the designation of the colors of emitted and/or absorbed light is as follows:.

With respect to emitter compounds, such colors refer to the emission maximum λmaxPMMA of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film with typically <NUM> - <NUM>% by weight of the emitter. Therefore, exemplarily, a deep blue emitter has an emission maximum λmaxPMMA in the range of from <NUM> to <NUM>, a sky blue emitter has an emission maximum λmaxPMMA in the range of from <NUM> to <NUM>, a green emitter has an emission maximum λmaxPMMA in a range of from <NUM> to <NUM>, a red emitter has an emission maximum λmaxPMMA in a range of from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the invention, the organic electroluminescent device exhibits green emission.

In one embodiment of the invention, the organic electroluminescent device exhibits blue emission.

In one embodiment of the invention, the organic electroluminescent device exhibits red emission.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the organic electroluminescent device exhibits an emission maximum λmax(D) of <NUM> to <NUM>.

A Near-range-charge-transfer (NRCT) emitter in the context of the present invention is any emitter that has an emission spectrum, which exhibits a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of less than or equal to <NUM> eV (≤ <NUM> eV), measured with <NUM>% by weight of NRCT emitter in PMMA at room temperature (RT).

As used herein and not otherwise specified, the each spectral property determined herein is determined at a content of <NUM>% by weight of the respective emitter in PMMA at room temperature (RT). As used herein and not otherwise specified, the FWHM is determined at a content of <NUM>% by weight of the respective emitter in PMMA at room temperature (RT).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a NRCT emitter in the context of the present invention is any emitter that has an emission spectrum, which exhibits a FWHM of ≤ <NUM> eV, more preferably ≤ <NUM> eV, even more preferably ≤ <NUM> eV, ≤ <NUM> eV or ≤ <NUM> eV, measured with <NUM>% by weight of NRCT emitter in PMMA at room temperature (RT). In other embodiments of the present invention, an emitter exhibits a FWHM of ≤ <NUM> eV, ≤ <NUM> eV, ≤ <NUM> eV, ≤ <NUM> eV, ≤ <NUM> eV, ≤ <NUM> eV, ≤ <NUM> eV, ≤ <NUM> eV, ≤ <NUM> eV, or ≤ <NUM> eV.

Typical NRCT emitters are described in literature by <NPL>) to show a delayed component in the time-resolved photoluminescence spectrum and exhibits a near-range HOMO-LUMO separation as described. The emitters shown in Hatakeyama et al. may be NRCT emitters, which are also TADF emitters in the sense of the present invention.

Typical NRCT emitters only show one emission band in the emission spectrum, wherein typical fluorescence emitters display several distinct emission bands due to vibrational progression.

In one embodiment of the invention, the TADF material EB and/or the depopulation agent SB is a NRCT emitter. In one embodiment of the invention, the TADF material EB and the depopulation agent SB are both each a NRCT emitter. In another embodiment of the invention, the TADF material EB is no NRCT emitter. In this case, the TADF material EB is an emitter which shows TADF properties, but not the properties of a NRCT emitter as defined herein. In further embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is no NRCT emitter. In this case, the depopulation agent SB is an emitter which does not have the properties of a NRCT emitter as defined herein. In one embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is a fluorescent emitter. In one embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is a fluorescent emitter which is no NRCT emitter. In further embodiment of the invention, neither the TADF material EB nor the depopulation agent SB are NRCT emitters.

An NRCT emitter may, in each context of the present invention, optionally each be a boron containing NRCT emitter, in particular a blue boron containing NRCT emitter.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB is a NRCT emitter.

In one embodiment, the TADF material EB and/or the depopulation agent SB is a boron containing NRCT emitter.

In one embodiment, the TADF material EB and the depopulation agent SB is a boron containing NRCT emitter.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB is a boron containing NRCT emitter.

In one embodiment, the TADF material EB is a blue boron containing NRCT emitter.

In a preferred embodiment, a NRCT emitter comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound.

TADF material EB and/or the depopulation agent SB comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound.

In a preferred embodiment, the emission spectrum of a film with <NUM> % by weight of the TADF material EB has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than <NUM> eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB is a boron containing emitter with an emission spectrum of a film with <NUM> % by weight of the TADF material EB, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than <NUM> eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB is a blue boron containing emitter with an emission spectrum of a film with <NUM> % by weight of the TADF material EB, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than <NUM> eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound with an emission spectrum of a film with <NUM> % by weight of the TADF material EB, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than <NUM> eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound according to formula (<NUM>) or (<NUM>) or a specific example described in <CIT>. <CIT> also describes examples for synthesis of such compounds.

In one embodiment, the TADF material EB comprises or consists of a structure according to Formula I:
<CHM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, two or more of the substituents selected from the group consisting of RI, RII, RIII, RIV, RV, RVI, RVII, RVIII, RIX, RX, and RXI that are positioned adjacent to another may each form a mono- or polycyclic, aliphatic, aromatic and/or benzo-fused ring system with another.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of X<NUM>, X<NUM> and X<NUM> is B and at least one of X<NUM>, X<NUM> and X<NUM> is N.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of RI, RII, RIII, RIV, RV, RVI, RVII, RVIII, RIX, RX, and RXI optionally forms a mono- or polycyclic, aliphatic, aromatic and/or benzo-fused ring system with one or more substituents of the same group that is/are positioned adjacent to the at least one substituent.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of X<NUM>, X<NUM> and X<NUM> is B and at least one of X<NUM>, X<NUM> and X<NUM> is N.

In one embodiment, the TADF material EB comprises or consists of a structure according to Formula <NUM> and n = <NUM>.

In one embodiment, each of R<NUM> and R<NUM> is each independently from each other selected from the group consisting of.

In one embodiment, R<NUM> and R<NUM> is each independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, iPr, tBu, CN, CF<NUM>,.

In one embodiment, each of RI, RII, RIII, RIV, RV, RVI, RVII, RVIII, RIX, RX, and RXI is independently from another selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, deuterium, halogen, Me, iPr, tBu, CN, CF<NUM>,.

In one embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is a near-range-charge-transfer (NRCT) emitter. According to the invention, a NRCT material shows a delayed component in the time-resolved photoluminescence spectrum and exhibits a near-range HOMO-LUMO separation as described by <NPL>).

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a boron containing NRCT emitter.

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a blue boron containing NRCT emitter.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound.

In a preferred embodiment, the emission spectrum of a film with <NUM> % by weight of the depopulation agent SB has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than <NUM> eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a boron containing emitter with an emission spectrum of a film with <NUM> % by weight of the depopulation agent SB, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than <NUM> eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a blue boron containing emitter with an emission spectrum of a film with <NUM> % by weight of the depopulation agent SB, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than <NUM> eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound with an emission spectrum of a film with <NUM> % by weight of , the depopulation agent SB, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than <NUM> eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound according to formula (<NUM>) or (<NUM>) or a specific example described in <CIT>. <CIT> also describes examples for synthesis of such compounds.

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent SB comprises or consists of a structure according to Formula I.

In a one embodiment, the TADF material EB and/or the depopulation agent SB is a blue boron-containing NRCT emitter selected from the following group:
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>.

In a one embodiment, the TADF material EB and/or the depopulation agent SB is a green boron-containing NRCT emitter selected from the following group:
<CHM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB and/or the depopulation agent SB is an organic TADF material. According to the invention, organic emitter or organic material means that the emitter or material (predominantly) consists of the elements hydrogen (H), carbon (C), nitrogen (N), boron (B), silicon (Si) and optionally fluorine (F), optionally bromine (Br) and optionally oxygen (O). Particularly preferably, it does not contain any transition metals.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB is an organic TADF material. In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is an organic emitter. In a more preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB and the depopulation agent SB are both organic TADF materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB and/or the depopulation agent SB is an organic TADF material, which is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula I-TADF
<CHM>
wherein.

According to the invention, the substituents Ra, R<NUM>, R<NUM> or R<NUM> at each occurrence independently from each other may optionally form a mono- or polycyclic, aliphatic, aromatic and/or benzo-fused ring system with one or more other substituents Ra, R<NUM>, R<NUM> or R<NUM>.

According to the invention, the substituents Rd at each occurrence independently from each other may optionally form a mono- or polycyclic, aliphatic, aromatic and/or benzo-fused ring system with one or more other substituents Rd.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, Z is a direct bond at each occurrence.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB is an organic TADF material, which is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula I-TADF.

In one embodiment of the invention, the TADF material EB comprises at least one triazine structure according to Formula IIa.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material EB is an organic TADF material, which is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula II-TADF
<CHM>.

In one embodiment of the invention, Ra is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, Me, iPr, tBu, CN, CF<NUM>,.

In one embodiment of the invention, Rd is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, Me, iPr, tBu, CN, CF<NUM>,.

In one embodiment of the invention, the TADF material EB is chosen from a structure of Formula III:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, X and R<NUM> are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIIa:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, X and R<NUM> are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIIa-<NUM>:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, X and R<NUM> are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIIb:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and R<NUM> are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIIa-<NUM>:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and R<NUM> are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIIc:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and R<NUM> are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIId:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and R<NUM> are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IV:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, R<NUM> and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IVa:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, R<NUM> and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IVb:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and R<NUM> are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula V:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, R<NUM> and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula Va:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, R<NUM> and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula Vb:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and R<NUM> are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VI:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, R<NUM> and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula Vla:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, R<NUM> and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VIb:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and R<NUM> are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VII:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VIIa:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VIIb:
<CHM>
wherein Ra is defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VIII:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula Villa:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VIIIb:
<CHM>
wherein Ra is defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IX:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IXa:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IXb:
<CHM>
wherein Ra is defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula X:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula Xa:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula Xb:
<CHM>
wherein Ra is defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XI:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XIa:
<CHM>
wherein Ra and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XIb:
<CHM>
wherein Ra is defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XII:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, X and Rd are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XIIa:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, X and Rd are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, EB is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XIIb:
<CHM>
wherein Ra, X and Rd are defined as above.

The synthesis of the molecules of a structure of Formula I-TADF can be accomplished via standard reactions and reaction conditions known to the skilled artesian. Typically, in a first step a coupling reaction, preferably a palladium catalyzed coupling reaction, is performed.

E1 can be any boronic acid (RB=H) or an equivalent boronic acid ester (RB=alkyl or aryl), in particular two RB form a ring to give e.g. boronic acid pinacol esters, of fluoro-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl, difluoro-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl, fluoro-(cyano)phenyl or difluoro-(cyano)phenyl. As second reactant E2 preferably ArEWG-Br is used. Reaction conditions of such palladium catalyzed coupling reactions are known the person skilled in the art, e.g. from <CIT>, and it is known that the reacting groups of E1 and E2 can be interchanged to optimize the reaction yields.

In a second step, the molecules according to Formular I-TADF are obtained via the reaction of a nitrogen heterocycle in a nucleophilic aromatic substitution with the aryl halide, preferably aryl fluoride, or aryl dihalide, preferably aryl difluoride, E3. Typical conditions include the use of a base, such as tribasic potassium phosphate or sodium hydride, for example, in an aprotic polar solvent, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), for example.

In particular, the donor molecule E6 is a <NUM>,<NUM>-substituted carbazole (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylcarbazole, <NUM>,<NUM> diphenylcarbazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-di-tert-butylcarbazole), a <NUM>,<NUM>-substituted carbazole (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM> dimethylcarbazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-diphenylcarbazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-di-tert-butylcarbazole), a <NUM>,<NUM>-substituted carbazole (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylcarbazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-diphenylcarbazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-di-tert-butylcarbazole), a <NUM> substituted carbazole (e.g., <NUM>-methylcarbazole, <NUM>-phenylcarbazole, <NUM>-tert-butylcarbazole), a <NUM> substituted carbazole (e.g., <NUM>-methylcarbazole, <NUM>-phenylcarbazole, <NUM>-tert-butylcarbazole), or a <NUM> substituted carbazole (e.g., <NUM>-methylcarbazole, <NUM>-phenylcarbazole, <NUM>-tert-butylcarbazole).

Alternatively, a halogen-substituted carbazole, particularly <NUM>-bromocarbazole, can be used as E6.

In a subsequent reaction a boronic acid ester functional group or boronic acid functional group may be exemplarily introduced at the position of the one or more halogen substituents, which was introduced via E6, to yield the corresponding carbazol-<NUM>-ylboronic acid ester or carbazol-<NUM>-ylboronic acid, e.g., via the reaction with bis(pinacolato)diboron (<NPL>). Subsequently, one or more substituents R<NUM> may be introduced in place of the boronic acid ester group or the boronic acid group via a coupling reaction with the corresponding halogenated reactant Ra-Hal, preferably Ra-Cl and Ra-Br.

Alternatively, one or more substituents Ra may be introduced at the position of the one or more halogen substituents, which was introduced via D-H, via the reaction with a boronic acid of the substituent Ra [Ra-B(OH)<NUM>] or a corresponding boronic acid ester.

An alternative synthesis route comprises the introduction of a nitrogen heterocycle via copper-or palladium-catalyzed coupling to an aryl halide or aryl pseudohalide, preferably an aryl bromide, an aryl iodide, aryl triflate or an aryl tosylate.

Device wherein the depopulation agent SB is a blue fluorescence emitter.

In one embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is a fluorescence emitter, in particular a blue fluorescence emitter.

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a blue fluorescence emitter selected from the following group:
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>.

In certain embodiments, the depopulation agent SB is a blue fluorescence emitter selected from the following group:
<CHM>.

Device wherein the depopulation agent SB is a triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) fluorescence emitter.

In one embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is a triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) emitter.

In one embodiment, SB is a blue TTA emitter selected from the following group:
<CHM>.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is a fluorescence emitter, in particular a green fluorescence emitter.

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a fluorescence emitter selected from the following group:
<CHM>.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the device has an emission peak in the visible or nearest ultraviolet range, i.e., in the range of a wavelength of from <NUM> to <NUM>, in particular between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent SB is a fluorescence emitter, in particular a red fluorescence emitter.

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a fluorescence emitter selected from the following group:
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>.

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a phosphorescence emitter.

Orbital and excited state energies can be determined either by means of experimental methods known to the person skilled in the art. Experimentally, the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital EHOMO is determined by methods known to the person skilled in the art from cyclic voltammetry measurements with an accuracy of <NUM> eV. The energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital ELUMO is calculated as EHOMO + Egap , where Egap is determined as follows:
For host compounds, the onset of emission of a film with <NUM> % by weight of host in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is used as Egap, unless stated otherwise.

For emitter compounds, e.g., NRCT emitters and fluorescence emitters, Egap is determined as the energy at which the excitation and emission spectra of a film with <NUM> % by weight of emitter in PMMA cross, unless stated otherwise.

For organic TADF emitters, Egap is determined as the energy at which the excitation and emission spectra of a film with <NUM> % by weight of emitter in PMMA cross, unless stated otherwise.

For host compounds, the onset of emission of a film with <NUM> % by weight of host in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which corresponds to the energy of the first excited singlet state S1, is used as Egap, unless stated otherwise.

For emitter compounds, e.g., NRCT emitters and fluorescence emitters, Egap and thus the energy of the first excited singlet state S1 is determined in the same way, unless stated otherwise.

For organic TADF emitters, the onset of emission of a film with <NUM> % by weight of host in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which corresponds to the energy of the first excited singlet state S1, is used as Egap, unless stated otherwise.

For host compounds, the energy of the first excited triplet state T1 is determined from the onset of the time-gated emission spectrum at <NUM>, typically with a delay time of <NUM> and an integration time of <NUM>, if not otherwise stated measured in a film of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with <NUM> % by weight of host.

For emitter compounds, e.g., NRCT emitters and fluorescence emitters, the energy of the first excited triplet state T1 is determined from the onset of the time-gated emission spectrum at <NUM>, typically with a delay time of <NUM> and an integration time of <NUM>, if not otherwise stated measured in a film of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with <NUM> % by weight of emitter.

For organic TADF emitters, the energy of the first excited triplet state T1 is determined from the onset of the time-gated emission spectrum at <NUM>, typically with a delay time of <NUM> and an integration time of <NUM>, if not otherwise stated measured in a film of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with <NUM> % by weight of TADF compound.

For TADF compounds, the energy of the first excited triplet state T1 is determined from the onset of the time-gated emission spectrum at <NUM>, typically with a delay time of <NUM> and an integration time of <NUM>.

In the electron transport layer (ETL, any electron transporter may be used. Exemplarily, compounds poor of electrons such as, e.g., benzimidazoles, pyridines, triazoles, oxadiazoles (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-oxadiazole), phosphinoxides and sulfone, may be used. Exemplarily, an electron transporter ETMD may also be a star-shaped heterocycle such as <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tri(<NUM>-phenyl-<NUM>-benzo[d]imidazol-<NUM>-yl)phenyl (TPBi). The ETMD may exemplarily be NBphen (<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(naphthalen-<NUM>-yl)-<NUM>,<NUM>-diphenyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-phenanthroline), Alq3 (Aluminum-tris(<NUM>-hydroxyquinoline)), TSPO1 (diphenyl-<NUM>-triphenylsilylphenyl-phosphinoxide), BPyTP2 (<NUM>,<NUM>-di(<NUM>,<NUM>'-bipyridin-<NUM>-yl)triphenyle), Sif87 (dibenzo[b,d]thiophen-<NUM>-yltriphenylsilane), Sif88 (dibenzo[b,d]thiophen-<NUM>-yl)diphenylsilane), BmPyPhB (<NUM>,<NUM>-bis[<NUM>,<NUM>-di(pyridin-<NUM>-yl)phenyl]benzene) and/or BTB (<NUM>,<NUM>'-bis-[<NUM>-(<NUM>,<NUM>-diphenyl-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazinyl)]-<NUM>,<NUM>'-biphenyl). Optionally, the electron transport layer may be doped with materials such as Liq (<NUM>-hydroxyquinolinolatolithium). Optionally, a second electron transport layer may be located between electron transport layer and the cathode layer C.

Adjacent to the electron transport layer (ETL), a cathode layer C may be located. Exemplarily, the cathode layer C may comprise or may consist of a metal (e.g., Al, Au, Ag, Pt, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, Pb, LiF, Ca, Ba, Mg, In, W, or Pd) or a metal alloy. For practical reasons, the cathode layer C may also consist of (essentially) intransparent metals such as Mg, Ca or Al. Alternatively or additionally, the cathode layer C may also comprise graphite and or carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Alternatively, the cathode layer C may also consist of nanoscale silver wires.

An OLED may further, optionally, comprise a protection layer between the electron transport layer (ETL) D and the cathode layer C (which may be designated as electron injection layer (EIL)). This layer may comprise lithium fluoride, caesium fluoride, silver, Liq (<NUM>-hydroxyquinolinolatolithium), Li<NUM>O, BaF<NUM>, MgO and/or NaF.

Accordingly, a further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, which exhibits an external quantum efficiency at <NUM> cd/m<NUM> of more than <NUM> %, more preferably of more than <NUM> %, more preferably of more than <NUM> %, even more preferably of more than <NUM> % or even more than <NUM> % and/or exhibits an emission maximum between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> and/or exhibits a LT80 value at <NUM> cd/m<NUM> of more than <NUM>, preferably more than <NUM>, more preferably more than <NUM>, even more preferably more than <NUM> or even more than <NUM>.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, which emits light at a distinct color point. According to the present invention, the OLED emits light with a narrow emission band (small full width at half maximum (FWHM)). In a preferred embodiment, the OLED according to the invention emits light with a FWHM of the main emission peak of below <NUM> eV, more preferably of below <NUM> eV, even more preferably of below <NUM> eV or even below <NUM> eV.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent SB is a NRCT emitter and the OLED according to the invention emits light with a FWHM of the main emission peak of below <NUM> eV, more preferably of below <NUM> eV, even more preferably of below <NUM> eV or even below <NUM> eV.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, which emits light with CIEx and CIEy color coordinates close to the CIEx (= <NUM>) and CIEy (= <NUM>) color coordinates of the primary color blue (CIEx = <NUM> and CIEy = <NUM>) as defined by ITU-R Recommendation BT. <NUM> (Rec. <NUM>) and thus is suited for the use in Ultra High Definition (UHD) displays, e.g. UHD-TVs. In commercial applications, typically top-emitting (top-electrode is transparent) devices are used, whereas test devices as used throughout the present application represent bottom-emitting devices (bottom-electrode and substrate are transparent). The CIEy color coordinate of a blue device can be reduced by up to a factor of two, when changing from a bottom- to a top-emitting device, while the CIEx remains nearly unchanged (Okinaka et al. doi:<NUM>/sdtp. Accordingly, a further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, whose emission exhibits a CIEx color coordinate of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even between <NUM> and <NUM> and/ or a CIEy color coordinate of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even between <NUM> and <NUM>.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, which emits light with CIEx and CIEy color coordinates close to the CIEx (= <NUM>) and CIEy (= <NUM>) color coordinates of the primary color green (CIEx = <NUM> and CIEy = <NUM>) as defined by ITU-R Recommendation BT. <NUM> (Rec. <NUM>) and thus is suited for the use in Ultra High Definition (UHD) displays, e.g. UHD-TVs. In this context, the term "close to" refers to the ranges of CIEx and CIEy coordinates provided at the end of this paragraph. In commercial applications, typically top-emitting (top-electrode is transparent) devices are used, whereas test devices as used throughout the present application represent bottom-emitting devices (bottom-electrode and substrate are transparent). The CIEy color coordinate of a blue device can be reduced by up to a factor of two, when changing from a bottom- to a top-emitting device, while the CIEx remains nearly unchanged (Okinaka et al. doi:<NUM>/sdtp. Accordingly, a further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, whose emission exhibits a CIEx color coordinate of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even between <NUM> and <NUM> and/ or a CIEy color coordinate of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even between <NUM> and <NUM>.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, which emits light with CIEx and CIEy color coordinates close to the CIEx (= <NUM>) and CIEy (= <NUM>) color coordinates of the primary color red (CIEx = <NUM> and CIEy = <NUM>) as defined by ITU-R Recommendation BT. <NUM> (Rec. <NUM>) and thus is suited for the use in Ultra High Definition (UHD) displays, e.g. UHD-TVs. In this context, the term "close to" refers to the ranges of CIEx and CIEy coordinates provided at the end of this paragraph. In commercial applications, typically top-emitting (top-electrode is transparent) devices are used, whereas test devices as used throughout the present application represent bottom-emitting devices (bottom-electrode and substrate are transparent). The CIEy color coordinate of a blue device can be reduced by up to a factor of two, when changing from a bottom- to a top-emitting device, while the CIEx remains nearly unchanged (Okinaka et al. doi:<NUM>/sdtp. Accordingly, a further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, whose emission exhibits a CIEx color coordinate of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even between <NUM> and <NUM> and/ or a CIEy color coordinate of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or even between <NUM> and <NUM>.

As used throughout the present application, the terms "aryl" and "aromatic" may be understood in the broadest sense as any mono-, bi- or polycyclic aromatic moieties. If not otherwise indicated, an aryl may also be optionally substituted by one or more substituents which are exemplified further throughout the present application. For example, an aryl may be a phenyl, naphthalene or anthracene. In a preferred embodiment, an aryl residue is a phenyl residue. If not otherwise indicated, an aryl may also be optionally substituted by one or more substituents which are exemplified further throughout the present application. Accordingly, the term "arylene" refers to a divalent residue that bears two binding sites to other molecular structures and thereby serving as a linker structure.

As used throughout the present application, the terms "heteroaryl" and "heteroaromatic" may be understood in the broadest sense as any mono-, bi- or polycyclic heteroaromatic moieties that include at least one heteroatom, in particular which bear from one to three heteroatoms per aromatic ring. Exemplarily, a heteroaromatic residue may be selected from the group consisting of carbazol, triazine (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazine), dibezothiophene, dibenzofurane, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, triazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine and pyrimidine, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, heteroaromatic residue is carbazol or <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazine. If not otherwise indicated, a heteroaryl may also be optionally substituted by one or more substituents which are exemplified further throughout the present application. Accordingly, the term "heteroarylene" refers to a divalent residue that bears two binding sites to other molecular structures and thereby serving as a linker structure.

As used throughout the present application, the term "alkyl" may be understood in the broadest sense as both, linear or branched chain alkyl residue. Preferred alkyl residues are those containing from one to fifteen carbon atoms (C<NUM>-C<NUM>-alkyl). Exemplarily, an alkyl residue may be methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, and the like. If not otherwise indicated, an alkyl may also be optionally substituted by one or more substituents which are exemplified further throughout the present application. Accordingly, the term "alkylene" refers to a divalent residue that bears two binding sites to other molecular structures and thereby serving as a linker structure.

If not otherwise indicated, as used herein, in particular in the context of aryl, arylene, heteroaryl, alkyl and the like, the term "substituted" may be understood in the broadest sense. Preferably, such substitution means a residue selected from the group consisting of C<NUM>-C<NUM>-alkyl, C<NUM>-C<NUM>-alkaryl, and C<NUM>-C<NUM>-aryl. Accordingly, preferably, no charged moiety, more preferably no functional group is present in such substitution.

It will be noticed that hydrogen can, at each occurrence, be replaced by deuterium.

Unless otherwise specified, any of the layers of the various embodiments may be deposited by any suitable method. The layers in the context of the present invention, including the light-emitting layer B, may optionally be prepared by means of liquid processing (also designated as "film processing", "fluid processing", "solution processing" or "solvent processing"). This means that the components comprised in the respective layer are applied to the surface of a part of a device in liquid state. Preferably, the layers in the context of the present invention, including the light-emitting layer B, may be prepared by means of spin-coating. This method well-known to those skilled in the art allows obtaining thin and (essentially) homogeneous layers.

Alternatively, the layers in the context of the present invention, including the light-emitting layer B, may be prepared by other methods based on liquid processing such as, e.g., casting (e.g., drop-casting) and rolling methods, and printing methods (e.g., inkjet printing, gravure printing, blade coating). This may optionally be carried out in an inert atmosphere (e.g., in a nitrogen atmosphere).

In another preferred embodiment, the layers in the context of the present invention may be prepared by any other method known in the art, including but not limited to vacuum processing methods well-known to those skilled in the art such as, e.g., thermal (co-)evaporation, organic vapor phase deposition (OVPD), and deposition by organic vapor jet printing (OVJP).

When preparing layers by means of liquid processing, the solutions including the components of the layers (i.e., with respect to the light-emitting layer B of the present invention, at least one host compound HB and, typically, at least one TADF material EB, at least one depopulation agent SB (which is exemplarily a second TADF material SB) and optionally one or more other host compounds HB2) may further comprise a volatile organic solvent. Such volatile organic solvent may optionally be one selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, chlorobenzene, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, <NUM>-(<NUM>-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol, gamma-butyrolactone, N-methyl pyrrolidinon, ethoxyethanol, xylene, toluene, anisole, phenetol, acetonitrile, tetrahydrothiophene, benzonitrile, pyridine, trihydrofuran, triarylamine, cyclohexanone, acetone, propylene carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzene and PGMEA (propylen glycol monoethyl ether acetate). Also a combination of two or more solvents may be used. After applied in liquid state, the layer may subsequently be dried and/or hardened by any means of the art, exemplarily at ambient conditions, at increased temperature (e.g., about <NUM> or about <NUM>) or at diminished pressure.

Optionally, an organic electroluminescent device (e.g., an OLED) may exemplarily be an essentially white organic electroluminescent device or a blue organic electroluminescent device. Exemplarily such white organic electroluminescent device may comprise at least one (deep) blue emitter compound (e.g., TADF material EB) and one or more emitter compounds emitting green and/or red light. Then, there may also optionally be energy transmittance between two or more compounds as described above.

The organic electroluminescent device as a whole may also form a thin layer of a thickness of not more than <NUM>, more than <NUM>, more than <NUM>, more than <NUM>, more than <NUM>, more than <NUM>, or more than <NUM>.

An organic electroluminescent device (e.g., an OLED) may be a small-sized (e.g., having a surface not larger than <NUM><NUM>, or even not larger than <NUM><NUM>), medium-sized (e.g., having a surface in the range of <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>), or a large-sized (e.g., having a surface larger than <NUM><NUM>). An organic electroluminescent device (e.g., an OLED) according to the present invention may optionally be used for generating screens, as large-area illuminating device, as luminescent wallpaper, luminescent window frame or glass, luminescent label, luminescent poser or flexible screen or display. Next to the common uses, an organic electroluminescent device (e.g., an OLED) may exemplarily also be used as luminescent films, "smart packaging" labels, or innovative design elements. Further they are usable for cell detection and examination (e.g., as bio labelling).

One of the main purposes of an organic electroluminescent device is the generation of light. Thus, the present invention further relates to a method for generating light of a desired wavelength range, comprising the step of providing an organic electroluminescent device according to any the present invention.

Accordingly, a further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for generating light of a desired wavelength range, comprising the steps of.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a process of making the organic electroluminescent devices by assembling the elements described above. The present invention also relates to a method for generating blue, green, yellow, orange, red or white light, in particular blue or white light by using said organic electroluminescent device. The invention is illustrated by the examples and claims.

Cyclic voltammograms of solutions having concentration of <NUM>-<NUM> mol/l of the organic molecules in dichloromethane or a suitable solvent and a suitable supporting electrolyte (e.g. <NUM> mol/l of tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate) are measured. The measurements are conducted at room temperature and under nitrogen atmosphere with a three-electrode assembly (Working and counter electrodes: Pt wire, reference electrode: Pt wire) and calibrated using FeCp<NUM>/FeCp<NUM>+ as internal standard. HOMO data was corrected using ferrocene as internal standard against SCE.

Molecular structures are optimized employing the BP86 functional and the resolution of identity approach (RI). Excitation energies are calculated using the (BP86) optimized structures employing Time-Dependent DFT (TD-DFT) methods. Orbital and excited state energies are calculated with the B3LYP functional. Def2-SVP basis sets (and a m4-grid for numerical integration were used. The Turbomole program package was used for all calculations.

Sample Preparation of host material and organic TADF emitters:.

The solvent is typically selected from toluene, chlorobenzene, dichloromethane and chloroform.

An Eppendorf pipette is used to add <NUM> of stock solution <NUM> to <NUM> of stock solution <NUM> to achieve a <NUM>% by weight of sample in PMMA.

Alternatively, the photophysical properties of host material can be characterized in neat films of host material.

Sample Preparation of fluorescence emitters and NRCT emitters:.

Alternatively, the photophysical properties of fluorescence emitters can be characterized in solution, wherein a concentration of <NUM>/ml of fluorescence emitter in solution is used.

Steady-state emission spectroscopy is recorded using a Horiba Scientific, Modell FluoroMax-<NUM> equipped with a <NUM> W Xenon-Arc lamp, excitation- and emissions monochromators and a Hamamatsu R928 photomultiplier and a time-correlated single-photon counting option. Emissions and excitation spectra are corrected using standard correction fits.

Excited state lifetimes are determined employing the same system using the TCSPC method with FM-<NUM> equipment and a Horiba Yvon TCSPC hub.

Data analysis (exponential fit) was done using the software suite DataStation and DAS6 analysis software. The fit is specified using the chi-squared-test.

For photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) measurements an Absolute PL Quantum Yield Measurement C9920-<NUM> system (Hamamatsu Photonics) is used. Quantum yields and CIE coordinates were determined using the software U6039-<NUM> version <NUM>.

Emission maxima are given in nm, quantum yields Φ in % and CIE coordinates as x,y values.

PLQY was determined using the following protocol:.

Via vacuum-deposition methods OLED devices comprising organic molecules according to the invention can be produced. If a layer contains more than one compound, the weight-percentage of one or more compounds is given in %. The total weight-percentage values amount to <NUM> %, thus if a value is not given, the fraction of this compound equals to the difference between the given values and <NUM> %.

The not fully optimized OLEDs are characterized using standard methods and measuring electroluminescence spectra, the external quantum efficiency (in %) in dependency on the intensity, calculated using the light detected by the photodiode, and the current. The OLED device lifetime is extracted from the change of the luminance during operation at constant current density, which is given in mA/cm<NUM>. The LT50 value corresponds to the time, where the measured luminance decreased to <NUM> % of the initial luminance, analogously LT80 corresponds to the time point, at which the measured luminance decreased to <NUM> % of the initial luminance, LT97 to the time point, at which the measured luminance decreased to <NUM> % of the initial luminance etc..

Accelerated lifetime measurements are performed (e.g. applying increased current densities). Exemplarily LT95 values at <NUM> cd/m<NUM> are determined using the following equation: <MAT> wherein L<NUM> denotes the initial luminance at the applied current density.

The values correspond to the average of several pixels (typically two to eight), the standard deviation between these pixels is given. The results show the data series for one OLED pixel.

The emitting layer of Comparative device C1 only contains TADF1 and mCBP. The external quantum efficiency (EQE) at <NUM> cd/m<NUM> is <NUM> % and the lifetime LT95 at <NUM> cd/m<NUM> value was determined to be <NUM>. The emission maximum is at <NUM> at <NUM> mA/cm<NUM>. The corresponding CIEx value is <NUM> and CIEy is <NUM>.

Device D1 comprises the same layer arrangement as device D1, except that the emitting layer contains TADF1, mCBP and Depopulation Agent <NUM> with either <NUM> % by weight or <NUM> % by weight. The concentration by weight of TADF1 is always set to <NUM> % by weight, wherein the concentration of mCBP is either <NUM> % by weight, in case the Depopulation Agent is used with <NUM> % by weight or <NUM> % by weight, in case the Depopulation Agent is used with <NUM> % by weight.

Device D2 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent <NUM> to Depopulation Agent <NUM>.

Device D3 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent <NUM> to Depopulation Agent <NUM>.

Device D4 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent <NUM> to Depopulation Agent <NUM>.

Device D5 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent <NUM> to Depopulation Agent <NUM>.

Device D6 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent <NUM> to Depopulation Agent <NUM>.

Device D7 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent <NUM> to Depopulation Agent <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An organic electroluminescent device comprising a light-emitting layer B comprising:
(i) a host material HB, which has a lowermost excited singlet state energy level S1H, a lowermost excited triplet state energy level T1H, and a highest occupied molecular orbital HOMO(HB) having an energy EHOMO(HB);
(ii) a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) material EB, which has a lowermost excited singlet state energy level S1E, a lowermost excited triplet state energy level T1E, and a highest occupied molecular orbital HOMO(EB) having an energy EHOMO(EB); and
(iii) a depopulation agent SB, which has a lowermost excited singlet state energy level S1S, optionally a lowermost excited triplet state energy level T1S, and a highest occupied molecular orbital HOMO(SB) having an energy EHOMO(SB);
wherein EB emits thermally activated delayed fluorescence;
and wherein the relations expressed by the following formulas (<NUM>) to (<NUM>) and either (4a) and (4b), or (5a) and (5b) apply: <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT>