ORGANIC ELECTROLUMINESCENT DEVICE EMITTING VISIBLE LIGHT

Abstract

The invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device comprising a light-emitting layer B comprising a host material HB, a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) material EB, and a depopulation agent SB.

Description

The present invention relates to organic electroluminescent devices comprising a light-emitting layer B comprising a host material H^B, a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) material E^B, and a depopulation agent S^B.

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.

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:

• (i) a host material H^B, which has a lowermost excited singlet state energy level S1^H, a lowermost excited triplet state energy level T1^H, and a highest occupied molecular orbital HOMO(H^B) having an energy E^HOMO(H^B);
• (ii) a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) material E^B, which has a lowermost excited singlet state energy level S1^E, a lowermost excited triplet state energy level T1^E, and a highest occupied molecular orbital HOMO(E^B) having an energy E^HOMO(E^B); and
• (iii) a depopulation agent S^B, which has a lowermost excited singlet state energy level S1^S, optionally a lowermost excited triplet state energy level T1^S, and a highest occupied molecular orbital HOMO(S^B) having an energy E^HOMO(S^B);
  wherein E^B emits thermally activated delayed fluorescence;
  and wherein the relations expressed by the following formulas (1) to (3) and either (4a) and (4b), or (5a) and (5b) apply:

S1^H>S1^E  (1)

S1^H>S1^S  (2)

S1>S1^E  (3)

E^HOMO(E^B)≥E^HOMO(H^B)  (4a)

0.2 eV≥E^HOMO(S^B)−E^HOMO(E^B)≥0.8 eV  (4b)

E^HOMO(H^B)≥E^HOMO(E^B)  (5a)

0.2 eV≥E^HOMO(S^B)−E^HOMO(H^B)≥0.8 eV  (5b).

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

The lowermost excited singlet state of the host material H^B is higher in energy than the lowermost excited singlet state of the depopulation agent S^B. The lowermost excited singlet state of the TADF material E^B is lower in energy than the lowermost excited singlet state of the depopulation agent S^B.

In one aspect of the invention, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the TADF material E^B (E^HOMO(E^B)) is higher in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the host material H^B (E^HOMO(H^B)) (i.e. the TADF material E^B acts as the main hole transport material). In this aspect, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the depopulation agent S^B (E^HOMO(S^B)) is higher in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the TADF material E^B (E^HOMO(E^B)). Preferably, the energy difference between E^HOMO(S^B)−E^HOMO(E^B) is at least 0.2 eV and not more than 0.8 eV, in particular at least 0.25 eV and not more than 0.55 eV.

In an alternative aspect of the invention, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the host material H^B (E^HOMO(H^B)) is higher in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the TADF material E^B (E^HOMO(E^B)) (i.e. the host material H^B acts as the main hole transport material). In this aspect, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the depopulation agent S^B (E^HOMO(S^B)) is higher in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the host material H^B (E^HOMO(H^B)) Preferably, the energy difference between E^HOMO(S^B)−E^HOMO(H^B) is at least 0.2 eV and not more than 0.8 eV, in particular at least 0.25 eV and not more than 0.55 eV. Preferably, the energy difference between E^HOMO(S^B)−E^HOMO(E^B) is at least 0.15 eV, at least 0.16 eV, at least 0.17 eV, at least 0.18 eV, at least 0.19 eV, at least 0.20 eV, at least 0.21 eV, at least 0.22 eV, at least 0.23 eV, at least 0.24 eV, or at least 0.25 eV. Preferably, the energy difference between E^HOMO(S^B)−E^HOMO(E^B) is not more than 0.8 eV, not more than 0.75 eV, not more than 0.70 eV, not more than 0.65 eV, not more than 0.60 eV, or not more than 0.55 eV.

In an alternative aspect of the invention, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the host material H^B is equal in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the TADF material E^B. In this aspect, the highest occupied molecular orbital of the depopulation agent S^B (E^HOMO(S^B)) is higher in energy than the highest occupied molecular orbital of the host material H^B (E^HOMO(H^B)) and/or the highest occupied molecular orbital of the TADF material E^B (E^HOMO(E^B)). Preferably, the energy difference between E^HOMO(S^B)−E^HOMO(H^B) and/or the energy difference between E^HOMO(S^B)−E^HOMO(E^B) is at least 0.2 eV and not more than 0.8 eV, in particular at least 0.25 eV and not more than 0.55 eV. Preferably, the energy difference between E^HOMO(S^B)−E^HOMO(H^B) is at least 0.15 eV, at least 0.16 eV, at least 0.17 eV, at least 0.18 eV, at least 0.19 eV, at least 0.20 eV, at least 0.21 eV, at least 0.22 eV, at least 0.23 eV, at least 0.24 eV, or at least 0.25 eV. Preferably, the energy difference between E^HOMO(S^B)−E^HOMO(H^B) is not more than 0.8 eV, not more than 0.75 eV, not more than 0.70 eV, not more than 0.65 eV, not more than 0.60 eV, or not more than 0.55 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 E^B.

According to the present invention, a TADF material is characterized in that it exhibits a ΔE_ST value, which corresponds to the energy difference between the lowermost excited singlet state (S1) and the lowermost excited triplet state (T1), of less than 0.4 eV, preferably less than 0.3 eV, more preferably less than 0.2 eV.

Accordingly in an embodiment of the present invention, the TADF material E^B is characterized in that it has a ΔE_ST value, which corresponds to the energy difference between S1^E and T1^E, of less than 0.4 eV. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the TADF material E^B is characterized in that it has a ΔE_ST value of less than 0.3 eV, less than 0.2 eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the lowermost excited triplet state of the host material H^B (T1^H) is higher in energy than the lowermost excited triplet state of the TADF material E^B (T^E): T1^H>T1^E.

In one embodiment of the invention, mass ratio of TADF material E^B to the depopulation agent S^B (E^B S^B) is >1. In one embodiment of the invention, the mass ratio E^B:S^B is in the range of from 1.5:1 to 30:1, in the range of from 2:1 to 25:1, or in the range of from 3:1 to 20:1. For example, the mass ratio E^B:S^B is in the range of (approximately) 20:1, 15:1, 12:1, 10:1, 8:1, 5:1, or 4:1.

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 H^B, a TADF material E^B and a depopulation agent S^B.

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

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 H^B, a TADF material E^B and a depopulation agent S^B.

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 380 to 800 nm. More preferably, organic electroluminescent device may be able to emit light in the visible range, i.e., of from 400 to 800 nm.

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 1 mm, more preferably not more than 0.1 mm, even more preferably not more than 10 μm, even more preferably not more than 1 μm, in particular not more than 0.1 μm.

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:

• A) an anode layer A containing 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;
• B) the light-emitting layer B; and
• C) a cathode layer C containing 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,
  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:

A) an anode layer A, exemplarily comprising indium tin oxide (ITO); HTL) a hole transport layer HTL;
B) a light-emitting layer B according to present invention as described herein; ETL) an electron transport layer ETL; and
C) a cathode layer, exemplarily comprising Al, Ca and/or Mg.

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., (InO₃)_0.9(SnO₂)_0.1). 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-3,4-ethylendioxy thiophene (PEDOT), polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), MoO₂, V₂O₅, CuPC or CuI, 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-3,4-ethylendioxy thiophene:polystyrene sulfonate), PEDOT (poly-3,4-ethylendioxy thiophene), mMTDATA (4,4′,4″-tris[phenyl(m-tolyl)amino]triphenylamine), Spiro-TAD (2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis(n,n-diphenylamino)-9,9′-spirobifluorene), DNTPD (N1,N1′-(biphenyl-4,4′-diyl)bis(N1-phenyl-N4,N4-di-m-tolylbenzene-1,4-diamine), NPB (N,N′-nis-(1-naphthalenyl)-N,N′-bis-phenyl-(1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine), NPNPB (N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-di-[4-(N,N-diphenyl-amino)-phenyl]benzidine), MeO-TPD (N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)-benzi-dine), HAT-CN (1,4,5,8,9,11-hexaazatriphenylen-hexacarbonitrile) and/or Spiro-NPD (N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis-(1-naphthyl)-9,9′-spirobifluorene-2,7-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(4-carbazoyl-9-ylphenyl)amine (TCTA), poly-TPD (poly(4-butylphenyl-diphenyl-amine)), [alpha]-NPD (poly(4-butylphenyl-diphenyl-amine)), TAPC (4,4′-cyclohexyliden-bis[N,N-bis(4-methylphenyl)benzenamine]), 2-TNATA (4,4′,4″-tris[2-naphthyl(phenyl)-amino]triphenylamine), Spiro-TAD, DNTPD, NPB, NPNPB, MeO-TPD, HAT-CN and/or TrisPcz (9,9′-diphenyl-6-(9-phenyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-9H,9′H-3,3′-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 (1,3-bis(carbazol-9-yl)benzene), TCTA, 2-TNATA, mCBP (3,3-di(9H-carbazol-9-yl)biphenyl), 9-[3-(dibenzofuran-2-yl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3-(dibenzofuran-2-yl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3-(dibenzothiophen-2-yl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3,5-bis(2-dibenzofuranyl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3,5-bis(2-dibenzothiophenyl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, tris-Pcz, CzSi (9-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)-9H-carbazole), and/or DCB (N,N′-dicarbazolyl-1,4-dimethylbenzene).

In one embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent S^B 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 ΔE_ST value, which corresponds to the energy difference between S1^S and T1^S, of less than 0.4 eV.

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

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

E^HOMO(E^B)>E^HOMO(H^B)  (6a)

E^HOMO(H^B)>E^HOMO(E^B)  (6b)

−0.2 eV≤E^HOMO(H^B)−E^HOMO(E^B)≤0.2 eV  (6c).

In another embodiment of the invention, the relation between the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital LUMO(E^B) of the TADF material E^B having an energy E^LUMO(E^B) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital LUMO(S^B) of the depopulation agent S^B having an energy E^LUMO(S^B) expressed by formula (7) applies:

E^LUMO(S^B)>E^LUMO(E^B)  (7)

In one embodiment of the invention, the relation expressed by formulas (8) applies:

0.2 eV≤E^LUMO(S^B)−E^LUMO(E^B)≤0.8 eV  (8a).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the depopulation agent S^B is a TADF material, i.e., one or more TADF emitter. Accordingly in an embodiment of the present invention, the depopulation agent S^B is characterized in that it has a ΔE_ST value, which corresponds to the energy difference between S1^S and T1^S, of less than 0.4 eV. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the depopulation agent S^B is characterized in that it has a ΔE_ST value of less than 0.3 eV, less than 0.2 eV, less than 0.1 eV, or even less than 0.05 eV.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the TADF material E^B and the depopulation agent S^B are both organic TADF emitters.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lowermost excited triplet state energy level T1^E of the TADF material E^B is between 2.2 eV and 3.5 eV, preferably between 2.3 eV and 3.2 eV, more preferably between 2.4 eV and 3.1 eV or even between 2.5 eV and 3.0 eV.

According to the invention, the emission layer B comprises at least one host material H^B, the TADF material E^B and the depopulation agent S^B.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises 39.8-98%, more preferably 57-93%, even more preferably 74-87% by weight of the host compound H^B.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises 0.1-50%, more preferably 0.5-40%, even more preferably 1-30% by weight of the TADF material E^B.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-8%, even more preferably 1-5% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the TADF material E^B 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 S^B is an organic TADF emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-8%, even more preferably 1-5% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent S^B is a NRCT emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-8%, even more preferably 1-5% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B.

In one embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent S^B is a fluorescence emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-8%, even more preferably 1-5% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the TADF material E^B is an organic TADF emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises 1-50%, more preferably 5-40%, even more preferably 10-30% by weight of the TADF material E^B.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the TADF material E^B is a NRCT emitter, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-5%, even more preferably 1-3% by weight of the TADF material E^B.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises up to 93% by weight of one or more further host compounds H^B2 differing from H^B.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting layer B comprises up to 93% by weight of one or more solvents.

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

• (i) 39.8-98%, more preferably 57-93%, even more preferably 74-87% by weight of the host compound H^B;
• (ii) 0.1-50%, more preferably 0.5-40%, even more preferably 1-30% by weight of the TADF material E^B; and
• (iii) 0.1-50%, more preferably 0.5-40%, even more preferably 1-30% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B; and optionally
• (iv) 0-60% by weight of one or more further host compounds H^B2 differing from H^B; and optionally
• (v) 0-60% by weight of one or more solvents; and optionally
• (vi) 0-30% by weight of at least one further emitter molecule F.

Preferably, the contents of (i) to (v) sum up to 100% by weight.

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

• (i) 39.8-98%, more preferably 57-93%, even more preferably 74-87% by weight of the host compound H^B;
• (ii) 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-5%, even more preferably 1-3% by weight of the TADF material E^B; and
• (iii) 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-5%, even more preferably 1-3% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B; and optionally
• (iv) 0-60% by weight of one or more further host compounds H^B2 differing from H^B; and optionally
• (v) 0-60% by weight of one or more solvents; and optionally
• (vi) 0-30% by weight of at least one further emitter molecule F.

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

• (i) 39.8-98%, more preferably 57-93%, even more preferably 74-87% by weight of the host compound H^B;
• (ii) 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-5%, even more preferably 1-3% by weight of the TADF material E^B; and
• (iii) 1-50%, more preferably 5-40%, even more preferably 10-30% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B; and optionally
• (iv) 0-59.9% by weight of one or more further host compounds H^B2 differing from H^B; and optionally
• (v) 0-59.9% by weight of one or more solvents; and optionally
• (vi) 0-30% by weight of at least one further emitter molecule F.

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

• (i) 39.8-98%, more preferably 57-93%, even more preferably 74-87% by weight of the host compound H^B;
• (ii) 1-50%, more preferably 5-40%, even more preferably 10-30% by weight of the TADF material E^B; and
• (iii) 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-5%, even more preferably 1-3% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B; and optionally
• (iv) 0-59.1% by weight of one or more further host compounds H^B2 differing from H^B; and optionally
• (v) 0-59.1% by weight of one or more solvents; and optionally
• (vi) 0-30% by weight of at least one further emitter molecule F.

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

• (i) 39.8-98%, more preferably 57-93%, even more preferably 74-87% by weight of the host compound H^B;
• (ii) 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-5%, even more preferably 1-3% by weight of the TADF material E^B; and
• (iii) 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-5%, even more preferably 1-3% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B; and optionally
• (iv) 0-60% by weight of one or more further host compounds H^B2 differing from H^B; and optionally
• (v) 0-60% by weight of one or more solvents; and optionally
• (vi) 0-30% by weight of at least one further emitter molecule F.

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

• (i) 39.8-98%, more preferably 57-93%, even more preferably 74-87% by weight of the host compound H^B;
• (ii) 1-50%, more preferably 5-40%, even more preferably 10-30% by weight of the TADF material E^B; and
• (iii) 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.5-5%, even more preferably 1-3% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B; and optionally
• (iv) 0-59.1% by weight of one or more further host compounds H^B2 differing from H^B; and optionally
• (v) 0-59.1% by weight of one or more solvents; and optionally
• (vi) 0-30% by weight of at least one further emitter molecule F.

Exemplarily, the host material H^B and/or the optionally present further host compound H^B2 may be selected from the group consisting of CBP (4,4′-Bis-(N-carbazolyl)-biphenyl), mCP, mCBP Sif87 (dibenzo[b,d]thiophen-2-yltriphenylsilane), CzSi, Sif88 (dibenzo[b,d]thiophen-2-yl)diphenylsilane), DPEPO (bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl] ether oxide), 9-[3-(dibenzofuran-2-yl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3-(dibenzofuran-2-yl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3-(dibenzothiophen-2-yl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3,5-bis(2-dibenzofuranyl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3,5-bis(2-dibenzothiophenyl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, T2T (2,4,6-tris(biphenyl-3-yl)-1,3,5-triazine), T3T (2,4,6-tris(triphenyl-3-yl)-1,3,5-triazine) and/or TST (2,4,6-tris(9,9′-spirobifluorene-2-yl)-1,3,5-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 E^B and the depopulation agent S^B (which is exemplarily a second TADF material S^B), and hole-dominant host H^B selected from the group consisting of CBP, mCP, mCBP, 9-[3-(dibenzofuran-2-yl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3-(dibenzofuran-2-yl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3-(dibenzothiophen-2-yl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3,5-bis(2-dibenzofuranyl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole and 9-[3,5-bis(2-dibenzothiophenyl)phenyl]-9H-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:

violet: wavelength range of >380-420 nm;
deep blue: wavelength range of >420-470 nm;
sky blue: wavelength range of >470-500 nm;
green: wavelength range of >500-560 nm;
yellow: wavelength range of >560-580 nm;
orange: wavelength range of >580-620 nm;
red: wavelength range of >620-800 nm.

With respect to emitter compounds, such colors refer to the emission maximum λmax^PMMA of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film with typically 1-10% by weight of the emitter. Therefore, exemplarily, a deep blue emitter has an emission maximum λmax^PMMA in the range of from 420 to 470 nm, a sky blue emitter has an emission maximum λmax_PMMA in the range of from 470 to 500 nm, a green emitter has an emission maximum λmax_PMMA in a range of from 500 to 560 nm, a red emitter has an emission maximum λmax_PMMA in a range of from 620 to 800 nm.

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 k_max(D) of 440 to 560 nm.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the organic electroluminescent device exhibits an emission maximum k_max(D) of 440 to 470 nm.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the organic electroluminescent device exhibits an emission maximum k_max(D) of 510 to 550 nm.

Near-Range-Charge-Transfer (NRCT) Emitters

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 0.25 eV (s 0.25 eV), measured with 1% 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 1% 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 1% 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 ≤0.24 eV, more preferably ≤0.23 eV, even more preferably ≤0.22 eV, ≤0.21 eV or ≤0.20 eV, measured with 1% by weight of NRCT emitter in PMMA at room temperature (RT). In other embodiments of the present invention, an emitter exhibits a FWHM of ≤0.19 eV, ≤0.19 eV, ≤0.18 eV, ≤0.17 eV, ≤0.16 eV, ≤0.15 eV, ≤0.14 eV, ≤0.13 eV, ≤0.12 eV, or ≤0.11 eV.

Typical NRCT emitters are described in literature by Hatakeyama et al. (Advanced Materials, 2016, 28(14):2777-2781, DOI: 10.1002/adma.201505491) 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 E^B and/or the depopulation agent S^B is a NRCT emitter. In one embodiment of the invention, the TADF material E^B and the depopulation agent S^B are both each a NRCT emitter. In another embodiment of the invention, the TADF material E^B is no NRCT emitter. In this case, the TADF material E^B 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 S^B is no NRCT emitter. In this case, the depopulation agent S^B 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 S^B is a fluorescent emitter. In one embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent S^B is a fluorescent emitter which is no NRCT emitter. In further embodiment of the invention, neither the TADF material E^B nor the depopulation agent S^B 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 E^B is a NRCT emitter.

In one embodiment, the TADF material E^B and/or the depopulation agent S^B is a boron containing NRCT emitter.

In one embodiment, the TADF material E^B and the depopulation agent S^B is a boron containing NRCT emitter.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material E^B is a boron containing NRCT emitter.

In one embodiment, the TADF material E^B is a blue boron containing NRCT emitter.

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

TADF material E^B and/or the depopulation agent S^B comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound.

In a preferred embodiment, the emission spectrum of a film with 1% by weight of the TADF material E^B has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than 0.2 eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material E^B is a boron containing emitter with an emission spectrum of a film with 1% by weight of the TADF material E^B, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than 0.2 eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material E^B is a blue boron containing emitter with an emission spectrum of a film with 1% by weight of the TADF material E^B, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than 0.2 eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material E^B comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound with an emission spectrum of a film with 1% by weight of the TADF material E^B, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than 0.2 eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material E^B comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound according to formula (1) or (2) or a specific example described in US-A 2015/236274. US-A 2015/236274 also describes examples for synthesis of such compounds.

In one embodiment, the TADF material E^B comprises or consists of a structure according to Formula I:

Wherein n is 0 or 1.

m=1−n.

X¹ is N or B.

X² is N or B.

X³ is N or B.

W is selected from the group consisting of Si(R³)₂, C(R³)₂ and BR³.
each of R¹, R² and R³ is independently from each other selected from the group consisting of:
C₁-C₅-alkyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶;
C₆-C₆₀-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶; and
C₃-C₅₇-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶;
each of R^I, R^II, R^III, R^IV, R^V, R^VI, R^VII, R^VIII, R^IX, R^X, and R^XI is independently from another selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, deuterium, N(R⁵)₂, OR⁵, Si(R⁵)₃, B(OR⁵)₂, OSO₂R⁵, CF₃, CN, halogen,
C₁-C₄₀-alkyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵ and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH₂-groups are each optionally substituted by R⁵C═CR⁵, C≡C, Si(R⁵)₂, Ge(R⁵)₂, Sn(R⁵)₂, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR⁵, P(═O)(R⁵), SO, SO₂, NR⁵, O, S or CONR⁵;
C₁-C₄₀-alkoxy, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵ and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH₂-groups are each optionally substituted by R⁵C═CR⁵, C≡C, Si(R⁵)₂, Ge(R⁵)₂, Sn(R⁵)₂, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR⁵, P(═O)(R⁵), SO, SO₂, NR⁵, O, S or CONR⁵;
C₁-C₄₀-thioalkoxy, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵ and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH₂-groups are each optionally substituted by R⁵C═CR⁵, C≡C, Si(R⁵)₂, Ge(R⁵)₂, Sn(R⁵)₂, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR⁵, P(═O)(R⁵), SO, SO₂, NR⁵, O, S or CONR⁵;
C₂-C₄₀-alkenyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵ and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH₂-groups are each optionally substituted by R⁵C═CR⁵, C≡C, Si(R⁵)₂, Ge(R⁵)₂, Sn(R⁵)₂, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR⁵, P(═O)(R⁵), SO, SO₂, NR⁵, O, S or CONR⁵;
C₂-C₄₀-alkynyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵ and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH₂-groups are each optionally substituted by R⁵C═CR⁵, C≡C, Si(R⁵)₂, Ge(R⁵)₂, Sn(R⁵)₂, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR⁵, P(═O)(R⁵), SO, SO₂, NR⁵, O, S or CONR⁵;
C₆-C₆₀-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵; and
C₃-C₅₇-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵.
R⁵ is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, deuterium, OPh, CF₃, CN, F,
C₁-C₅-alkyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₁-C₅-alkoxy, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₁-C₅-thioalkoxy, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₂-C₅-alkenyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₂-C₅-alkynyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₆-C₁₈-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more C₁-C₅-alkyl substituents;
C₃-C₁₇-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more C₁-C₅-alkyl substituents;
N(C₆-C₁₈-aryl)₂,
N(C₃-C₁₇-heteroaryl)₂; and
N(C₃-C₁₇-heteroaryl)(C₆-C₁₈-aryl).
R⁶ is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, OPh, CF₃, CN, F,
C₁-C₅-alkyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₁-C₅-alkoxy, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₁-C₅-thioalkoxy, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₂-C₅-alkenyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₂-C₅-alkynyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₆-C₁₈-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more C₁-C₅-alkyl substituents;
C₃-C₁₇-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more C₁-C₅-alkyl substituents;
N(C₆-C₁₈-aryl)₂;
N(C₃-C₁₇-heteroaryl)₂; and
N(C₃-C₁₇-heteroaryl)(C₆-C₁₈-aryl).

According to a preferred embodiment, two or more of the substituents selected from the group consisting of R^I, R^II, R^III, R^IV, R^V, R^VI, R^VII, R^VIII, R^IX, R^X, and R^XI 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 X¹, X² and X³ is B and at least one of X¹, X² and X³ is N.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of R^I, R^II, R^III, R_IV, R^V, R^VI, R^VII, R^VIII, R^IX, R^X, and R^XI 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 X¹, X² and X³ is B and at least one of X¹, X² and X³ is N.

In one embodiment, the TADF material E^B comprises or consists of a structure according to Formula 1 and n=0.

In one embodiment, each of R¹ and R² is each independently from each other selected from the group consisting of

C₁-C₅-alkyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶;
C₆-C₃₀-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶; and
C₃-C₃₀-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶.

In one embodiment, R¹ and R² is each independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃,

Ph, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph;

• pyridinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph;
• pyrimidinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph; and
• triazinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph.

In one embodiment, each of R^I, R^II, R^III, R^IV, R^V, R^VI, R^VII, R^VIII, R^IX, R^X, and R^XI is independently from another selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, deuterium, halogen, Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃,

• Ph, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph:
• pyridinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph;
• pyrimidinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph;
• carbazolyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph;
• triazinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph;
• and N(Ph)₂.

In one embodiment, each of R^I, R^II, R^III, R^IV, R^V, R^VI, R^VII, R^VIII, R^IX, R^X, and R^XI is independently from another selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, deuterium, halogen, Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃,

• Ph, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph;
• pyridinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph;
• pyrimidinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph;
• carbazolyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph;
• triazinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃, and Ph;
• and N(Ph)₂; and
  R¹ and R² is each independently from each other selected from the group consisting of
  C₁-C₅-alkyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶;
  C₆-C₃n-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶; and
  C₃-C₃₀-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶.

In one embodiment of the invention, the depopulation agent S^B 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 Hatakeyama et al. (Advanced Materials, 2016, 28(14):2777-2781, DOI: 10.1002/adma.201505491).

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B is a boron containing NRCT emitter.

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B is a blue boron containing NRCT emitter.

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

In a preferred embodiment, the emission spectrum of a film with 1% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than 0.2 eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B is a boron containing emitter with an emission spectrum of a film with 1% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than 0.2 eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B is a blue boron containing emitter with an emission spectrum of a film with 1% by weight of the depopulation agent S^B, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than 0.2 eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound with an emission spectrum of a film with 1% by weight of, the depopulation agent S^B, which has a full width at half maximum (FWHM), which is smaller than 0.2 eV.

In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B comprises or consists of a polycyclic aromatic compound according to formula (1) or (2) or a specific example described in US-A 2015/236274. US-A 2015/236274 also describes examples for synthesis of such compounds.

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

In a one embodiment, the TADF material E^B and/or the depopulation agent S^B is a blue boron-containing NRCT emitter selected from the following group:

In a one embodiment, the TADF material E^B and/or the depopulation agent S^B is a green boron-containing NRCT emitter selected from the following group:

Organic TADF Emitters

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material E^B and/or the depopulation agent S^B 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 E^B is an organic TADF material. In a preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B is an organic emitter. In a more preferred embodiment, the TADF material E^B and the depopulation agent S^B are both organic TADF materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material E^B and/or the depopulation agent S^B is an organic TADF material, which is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula I-TADF

• • wherein
  • is at each occurrence independently from another 1 or 2;
  • p is at each occurrence independently from another 1 or 2;
  • X is at each occurrence independently from another selected Ar^EWG, H, CN or CF₃;
  • Z is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of a direct bond, CR³R⁴, C═CR³R⁴, C═O, C═NR³, NR³, O, SiR³R⁴, S, S(O) and S(O)₂;
  • Ar^EWG is at each occurrence independently from another a structure according to one of Formulas IIa to IIk

wherein # represents the binding site of the single bond linking Ar^EWG to the substituted central phenyl ring of Formula I-TADF;
R¹ is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, C₁-C₅-alkyl, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are optionally substituted by deuterium, and C₆-C₁₈-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶;
R² is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, C₁-C₅-alkyl, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are optionally substituted by deuterium, and C₆-C₁₈-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶;
R^a, R³ and R⁴ is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, N(R⁵)₂, OR⁵,
SR⁵, Si(R⁵)₃, CF₃, CN, F,
C₁-C₄₀-alkyl which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵ and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH₂-groups are optionally substituted by R⁵C═CR⁵, C≡C, Si(R⁵)₂, Ge(R⁵)₂, Sn(R⁵)₂, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR⁵, P(═O)(R⁵), SO, SO₂, NR⁵, O, S or CONR⁵;
C₁-C₄₀-thioalkoxy which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵ and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH₂-groups are optionally substituted by R⁵C═CR⁵, C≡C, Si(R⁵)₂, Ge(R⁵)₂, Sn(R⁵)₂, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR⁵, P(═O)(R⁵), SO, SO₂, NR⁵, O, S or CONR⁵; and
C₆-C₆₀-aryl which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵; C₃-C₅₇-heteroaryl which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵;
R⁵ is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, N(R⁶)₂, OR⁶, SR⁶, Si(R⁶)₃, CF₃, CN, F, C₁-C₄₀-alkyl which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶ and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH₂-groups are optionally substituted by R⁶C═CR⁶, C≡C, Si(R⁶)₂, Ge(R⁶)₂, Sn(R⁶)₂, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR⁶, P(═O)(R⁶), SO, SO₂, NR⁶, O, S or CONR⁶;
C₆-C₆₀-aryl which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶; and C₃-C₅₇-heteroaryl which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁶;
R⁶ is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, OPh, CF₃, CN, F,
C₁-C₅-alkyl, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are optionally, independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₁-C₅-alkoxy,
wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are optionally, independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₁-C₅-thioalkoxy, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are optionally, independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF₃, or F;
C₆-C₁₈-aryl which is optionally substituted with one or more C₁-C₅-alkyl substituents;
C₃-C₁₇-heteroaryl which is optionally substituted with one or more C₆-C₁₈-aryl substituents and/or one or more C₁-C₅-alkyl substituents;
N(C₆-C₁₈-aryl)₂;
N(C₃-C₁₇-heteroaryl)₂, and
N(C₃-C₁₇-heteroaryl)(C₆-C₁₈-aryl);
R^d is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, N(R⁵)₂, OR⁵,
SR⁵, Si(R⁵)₃, CF₃, CN, F,
C₁-C₄₀-alkyl which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵ and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH₂-groups are optionally substituted by R⁵C═CR⁵, C≡C, Si(R⁵)₂, Ge(R⁵)₂, Sn(R⁵)₂, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR⁵, P(═O)(R⁵), SO, SO₂, NR⁵, O, S or CONR⁵;
C₁-C₄₀-thioalkoxy which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵ and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH₂-groups are optionally substituted by R⁵C═CR⁵, C≡C, Si(R⁵)₂, Ge(R⁵)₂, Sn(R⁵)₂, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR⁵, P(═O)(R⁵), SO, SO₂, NR⁵, O, S or CONR⁵; and
C₆-C₆₀-aryl which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵; C₃-C₅₇-heteroaryl which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R⁵;
wherein the substituents R^a, R³, R⁴ or R⁵ independently from each other optionally may form a mono- or polycyclic, aliphatic, aromatic and/or benzo-fused ring system with one or more other substituents R^a, R³, R⁴ or R⁵ and
wherein the one or more substituents R^d independently from each other optionally may form a mono- or polycyclic, aliphatic, aromatic and/or benzo-fused ring system with one or more other substituents R^d.

According to the invention, the substituents R^a, R³, R⁴ or R⁵ 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 R^a, R³, R⁴ or R⁵.

According to the invention, the substituents R^d 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 R^d.

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

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material E^B 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 E^B comprises at least one triazine structure according to Formula IIa.

In a preferred embodiment, the TADF material E^B is an organic TADF material, which is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula II-TADF

In one embodiment of the invention, R^a is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃,

Ph, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃ and Ph;
pyridinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃ and Ph;
pyrimidinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃ and Ph;
carbazolyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃ and Ph;
triazinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃ and Ph; and N(Ph)₂.

In one embodiment of the invention, R^d is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃,

Ph, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃ and Ph;
pyridinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃ and Ph;
pyrimidinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃ and Ph;
carbazolyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃ and Ph;
triazinyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu, CN, CF₃ and Ph; and N(Ph)₂.

In a preferred embodiment, X is CN.

In one embodiment of the invention, the TADF material E^B is chosen from a structure of Formula III:

wherein R^a, X and R¹ are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIIa:

wherein R^a, X and R¹ are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIIa-1:

wherein R^a, X and R¹ are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIIa-2:

wherein R^a, X and R¹ are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIIb:

wherein R^a and R¹ are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIIa-1:

wherein R^a and R¹ are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIIc:

wherein R^a and R¹ are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IIId:

wherein R^a and R¹ are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IV:

wherein R^a, R¹ and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IVa:

wherein R^a, R¹ and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IVb:

wherein R^a and R¹ are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula V:

wherein R^a, R¹ and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula Va:

wherein R^a, R¹ and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula Vb:

wherein R^a and R¹ are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VI:

wherein R^a, R¹ and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula Via:

wherein R^a, R¹ and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VIb:

wherein R^a and R¹ are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VII:

wherein R^a and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VIIa:

wherein R^a and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VIIb:

wherein R^a is defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VIII:

wherein R^a and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VIIIa:

wherein R^a and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula VIIIb:

wherein R^a is defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IX:

wherein R^a and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IXa:

wherein R^a and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula IXb:

wherein R^a is defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula X:

wherein R^a and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula Xa:

wherein R^a and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula Xb:

wherein R^a is defined a s above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XI:

wherein R^a and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XIa:

wherein R^a and X are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XIb:

wherein R^a is defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XII:

wherein R^a, X and R^d are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XIIa:

wherein R^a, X and R^d are defined as above.

In one embodiment of the invention, E^B is chosen from molecules of a structure of Formula XIIb:

wherein R^a, X and R^d 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 (R^B=H) or an equivalent boronic acid ester (R^B=alkyl or aryl), in particular two R^B 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 Ar^EWG-Br is used. Reaction conditions of such palladium catalyzed coupling reactions are known the person skilled in the art, e.g. from WO 2017/005699, 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 Formula 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 3,6-substituted carbazole (e.g., 3,6-dimethylcarbazole, 3,6 diphenylcarbazole, 3,6-di-tert-butylcarbazole), a 2,7-substituted carbazole (e.g., 2,7 dimethylcarbazole, 2,7-diphenylcarbazole, 2,7-di-tert-butylcarbazole), a 1,8-substituted carbazole (e.g., 1,8-dimethylcarbazole, 1,8-diphenylcarbazole, 1,8-di-tert-butylcarbazole), a 1 substituted carbazole (e.g., 1-methylcarbazole, 1-phenylcarbazole, 1-tert-butylcarbazole), a 2 substituted carbazole (e.g., 2-methylcarbazole, 2-phenylcarbazole, 2-tert-butylcarbazole), or a 3 substituted carbazole (e.g., 3-methylcarbazole, 3-phenylcarbazole, 3-tert-butylcarbazole).

Alternatively, a halogen-substituted carbazole, particularly 3-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-3-ylboronic acid ester or carbazol-3-ylboronic acid, e.g., via the reaction with bis(pinacolato)diboron (CAS No. 73183-34-3). Subsequently, one or more substituents R^a 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 R^a-Hal, preferably R^a—Cl and R^a—Br.

Alternatively, one or more substituents R^a 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 R^a [R^a—B(OH)₂] 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 S^B is a blue fluorescence emitter

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

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B is a blue fluorescence emitter selected from the following group:

In certain embodiments, the depopulation agent S^B is a blue fluorescence emitter selected from the following group:

Device Wherein the Depopulation Agent S^B is a Triplet-Triplet Annihilation (TTA) Fluorescence Emitter

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

In one embodiment, S^B is a blue TTA emitter selected from the following group:

Device Wherein the Depopulation Agent S^B is a Green Fluorescence Emitter

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

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B is a fluorescence emitter selected from the following group:

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 380 to 800 nm, in particular between 485 nm and 590 nm, preferably between 505 nm and 565 nm, even more preferably between 515 nm and 545 nm.

Device Wherein the Depopulation Agent S^B is a Red Fluorescence Emitter

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

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B is a fluorescence emitter selected from the following group:

In one embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B is a phosphorescence emitter.

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 380 to 800 nm, in particular between 590 nm and 690 nm, preferably between 610 nm and 665 nm, even more preferably between 620 nm and 640 nm.

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 E^HOMO is determined by methods known to the person skilled in the art from cyclic voltammetry measurements with an accuracy of 0.1 eV. The energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital E^LUMO is calculated as E^HOMO+E^gap, where E^gap is determined as follows:

For host compounds, the onset of emission of a film with 10% by weight of host in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is used as E^gap, unless stated otherwise.

For emitter compounds, e.g., NRCT emitters and fluorescence emitters, E^gap is determined as the energy at which the excitation and emission spectra of a film with 1% by weight of emitter in PMMA cross, unless stated otherwise.

For organic TADF emitters, E^gap is determined as the energy at which the excitation and emission spectra of a film with 10% by weight of emitter in PMMA cross, unless stated otherwise.

For host compounds, the onset of emission of a film with 10% by weight of host in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which corresponds to the energy of the first excited singlet state S1, is used as E^gap, unless stated otherwise.

For emitter compounds, e.g., NRCT emitters and fluorescence emitters, E^gap 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 10% by weight of host in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which corresponds to the energy of the first excited singlet state S1, is used as E^gap, 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 77 K, typically with a delay time of 1 ms and an integration time of 1 ms, if not otherwise stated measured in a film of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with 10% 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 77 K, typically with a delay time of 1 ms and an integration time of 1 ms, if not otherwise stated measured in a film of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with 1% 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 77 K, typically with a delay time of 1 ms and an integration time of 1 ms, if not otherwise stated measured in a film of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with 10% 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 77 K, typically with a delay time of 1 ms and an integration time of 1 ms.

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., 1,3,4-oxadiazole), phosphinoxides and sulfone, may be used. Exemplarily, an electron transporter ETM^D may also be a star-shaped heterocycle such as 1,3,5-tri(1-phenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)phenyl (TPBi). The ETM^D may exemplarily be NBphen (2,9-bis(naphthalen-2-yl)-4,7-diphenyl-1, 10-phenanthroline), Alq3 (Aluminum-tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)), TSPO1 (diphenyl-4-triphenylsilylphenyl-phosphinoxide), BPyTP2 (2,7-di(2,2′-bipyridin-5-yl)triphenyle), Sif87 (dibenzo[b,d]thiophen-2-yltriphenylsilane), Sif88 (dibenzo[b,d]thiophen-2-yl)diphenylsilane), BmPyPhB (1,3-bis[3,5-di(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl]benzene) and/or BTB (4,4′-bis-[2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)]-1,1′-biphenyl). Optionally, the electron transport layer may be doped with materials such as Liq (8-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 (8-hydroxyquinolinolatolithium), Li₂O, BaF₂, MgO and/or NaF.

Accordingly, a further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, which exhibits an external quantum efficiency at 1000 cd/m² of more than 10%, more preferably of more than 12%, more preferably of more than 15%, even more preferably of more than 17% or even more than 20% and/or exhibits an emission maximum between 490 nm and 570 nm, preferably between 500 nm and 560 nm, more preferably between 510 nm and 550 nm, even more preferably between 520 nm and 540 nm and/or exhibits a LT80 value at 500 cd/m² of more than 3000 h, preferably more than 6000 h, more preferably more than 12000 h, even more preferably more than 22500 h or even more than 30000 h.

Accordingly, a further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, which exhibits an external quantum efficiency at 1000 cd/m² of more than 10%, more preferably of more than 12%, more preferably of more than 15%, even more preferably of more than 17% or even more than 20% and/or exhibits an emission maximum between 420 nm and 500 nm, preferably between 430 nm and 490 nm, more preferably between 440 nm and 480 nm, even more preferably between 450 nm and 470 nm and/or exhibits a LT80 value at 500 cd/m² of more than 100 h, preferably more than 200 h, more preferably more than 400 h, even more preferably more than 750 h or even more than 1000 h.

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 0.43 eV, more preferably of below 0.39 eV, even more preferably of below 0.35 eV or even below 0.31 eV.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the depopulation agent S^B is a NRCT emitter and the OLED according to the invention emits light with a FWHM of the main emission peak of below 0.25 eV, more preferably of below 0.23 eV, even more preferably of below 0.21 eV or even below 0.20 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 (=0.131) and CIEy (=0.046) color coordinates of the primary color blue (CIEx=0.131 and CIEy=0.046) as defined by ITU-R Recommendation BT.2020 (Rec. 2020) 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:10.1002/sdtp.10480). Accordingly, a further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, whose emission exhibits a CIEx color coordinate of between 0.02 and 0.30, preferably between 0.03 and 0.25, more preferably between 0.05 and 0.20 or even more preferably between 0.08 and 0.18 or even between 0.10 and 0.15 and/or a CIEy color coordinate of between 0.00 and 0.45, preferably between 0.01 and 0.30, more preferably between 0.02 and 0.20 or even more preferably between 0.03 and 0.15 or even between 0.04 and 0.10.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, which emits light with CIEx and CIEy color coordinates close to the CIEx (=0.170) and CIEy (=0.797) color coordinates of the primary color green (CIEx=0.170 and CIEy=0.797) as defined by ITU-R Recommendation BT.2020 (Rec. 2020) 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:10.1002/sdtp.10480). Accordingly, a further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, whose emission exhibits a CIEx color coordinate of between 0.06 and 0.34, preferably between 0.07 and 0.29, more preferably between 0.09 and 0.24 or even more preferably between 0.12 and 0.22 or even between 0.14 and 0.19 and/or a CIEy color coordinate of between 0.75 and 1.20, preferably between 0.76 and 1.05, more preferably between 0.77 and 0.95 or even more preferably between 0.78 and 0.90 or even between 0.79 and 0.85.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, which emits light with CIEx and CIEy color coordinates close to the CIEx (=0.708) and CIEy (=0.292) color coordinates of the primary color red (CIEx=0.708 and CIEy=0.292) as defined by ITU-R Recommendation BT.2020 (Rec. 2020) 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:10.1002/sdtp.10480). Accordingly, a further embodiment of the present invention relates to an OLED, whose emission exhibits a CIEx color coordinate of between 0.60 and 0.88, preferably between 0.61 and 0.83, more preferably between 0.63 and 0.78 or even more preferably between 0.66 and 0.76 or even between 0.68 and 0.73 and/or a CIEy color coordinate of between 0.25 and 0.70, preferably between 0.26 and 0.55, more preferably between 0.27 and 0.45 or even more preferably between 0.28 and 0.40 or even between 0.29 and 0.35.

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 5 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., 1,3,5-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 1,3,5-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 (C₁-C₁₅-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 C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₇-C₁₉-alkaryl, and C₆-C₁₈-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 H^B and, typically, at least one TADF material E^B, at least one depopulation agent S^B (which is exemplarily a second TADF material S^B) and optionally one or more other host compounds H^B2) 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, 2-(2-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 50° C. or about 60° C.) 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 E^B) 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 5 mm, more than 2 mm, more than 1 mm, more than 0.5 mm, more than 0.25 mm, more than 100 μm, or more than 10 μm.

An organic electroluminescent device (e.g., an OLED) may be a small-sized (e.g., having a surface not larger than 5 mm², or even not larger than 1 mm²), medium-sized (e.g., having a surface in the range of 0.5 to 20 cm²), or a large-sized (e.g., having a surface larger than 20 cm²). 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

• (i) providing an organic electroluminescent device according to the present invention; and
• (ii) applying an electrical current to said organic electroluminescent device.

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.

EXAMPLES

Cyclic Voltammetry

Cyclic voltammograms of solutions having concentration of 10-3 mol/l of the organic molecules in dichloromethane or a suitable solvent and a suitable supporting electrolyte (e.g. 0.1 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 FeCp₂/FeCp₂⁺ as internal standard. HOMO data was corrected using ferrocene as internal standard against SCE.

Density Functional Theory Calculation

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.

Photophysical Measurements

Sample Preparation of host material and organic TADF emitters:

Stock solution 1: 10 mg of sample (organic TADF material or host material) is dissolved in 1 ml of solvent.
Stock solution 2: 10 mg of PMMA is dissolved in 1 ml solvent.

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

An Eppendorf pipette is used to add 1 ml of stock solution 1 to 9 ml of stock solution 2 to achieve a 10% 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:

Stock solution 1: 10 mg of sample (fluorescence emitters and NRCT emitters) is dissolved in 1 ml of solvent.
Stock solution 1a: 9 ml of solvent is added to 1 ml of stock solution 1.
Stock solution 2: 10 mg of PMMA is dissolved in 1 ml solvent.

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

An Eppendorf pipette is used to add 1 ml of stock solution 1 to 9.9 ml of stock solution 2 to achieve a 1% by weight of sample in PMMA.

Alternatively, the photophysical properties of fluorescence emitters can be characterized in solution, wherein a concentration of 0.001 mg/ml of fluorescence emitter in solution is used.

Sample Pretreatment: Spin-Coating

Apparatus: Spin150, SPS euro.
Program: 1) 3 s at 400 U/min; 20 s at 1000 U/min at 1000 Upm/s. 3) 10 s at 4000 U/min at 1000 Upm/s. After coating, the films are dried at 70° C. for 1 min.

Photoluminescence Spectroscopy and TCSPC (Time-Correlated Single-Photon Counting)

Steady-state emission spectroscopy is recorded using a Horiba Scientific, Modell FluoroMax-4 equipped with a 150 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-2013 equipment and a Horiba Yvon TCSPC hub.

Excitation Sources:

NanoLED 370 (wavelength: 371 nm, puls duration: 1.1 ns)
NanoLED 290 (wavelength: 294 nm, puls duration: <1 ns)
SpectraLED 310 (wavelength: 314 nm)
SpectraLED 355 (wavelength: 355 nm).

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

Photoluminescence Quantum Yield Measurements

For photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) measurements an Absolute PL Quantum Yield Measurement C9920-03G system (Hamamatsu Photonics) is used. Quantum yields and CIE coordinates were determined using the software U6039-05 version 3.6.0.

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

PLQY was determined using the following protocol:

• • 1) Quality assurance: Anthracene in ethanol (known concentration) is used as reference
  • 2) Excitation wavelength: the absorption maximum of the organic molecule is determined and the molecule is excited using this wavelength
  • 3) Measurement
    • Quantum yields are measured for sample of solutions or films under nitrogen atmosphere. The yield is calculated using the equation:

${\Phi }_{PL}=\frac{n_{\mathrm{photon}},\mathrm{emited}}{n_{\mathrm{photon}},\mathrm{absorbed}}=\frac{\int \frac{\lambda }{hc}\left[{\mathrm{Int}}_{\mathrm{emitted}}^{\mathrm{sample}}\left(\lambda \right)-{\mathrm{Int}}_{\mathrm{absorbed}}^{\mathrm{sample}}\left(\lambda \right)\right]d\lambda }{\int \frac{\lambda }{hc}\left[{\mathrm{Int}}_{\mathrm{emitted}}^{\mathrm{reference}}\left(\lambda \right)-{\mathrm{Int}}_{\mathrm{absorbed}}^{\mathrm{reference}}\left(\lambda \right)\right]d\lambda }$

• • wherein n_photon denotes the photon count and Int. is the intensity.

Production and Characterization of Organic Electroluminescence Devices

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 100%, thus if a value is not given, the fraction of this compound equals to the difference between the given values and 100%.

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/cm². The LT50 value corresponds to the time, where the measured luminance decreased to 50% of the initial luminance, analogously LT80 corresponds to the time point, at which the measured luminance decreased to 80% of the initial luminance, LT97 to the time point, at which the measured luminance decreased to 97% of the initial luminance etc.

Accelerated lifetime measurements are performed (e.g. applying increased current densities). Exemplarily LT95 values at 1200 cd/m² are determined using the following equation:

$LT95\left(1200\frac{\mathrm{cd}}{m^2}\right)=LT95\left(L_0\right){\left(\frac{L_0}{1200\frac{\mathrm{cd}}{m^2}}\right)}^{1.6}$

wherein L₀ 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.

Comparative Examples C1 and Examples E1 to E7

Depopulation Agent 7

TABLE 1
Physicochemical properties of the materials
Material	EHOMO [eV]	ELUMO [eV]	S1 [eV]	T1 [eV]
mCBP (HB)	−6.02	−2.42	3.60	2.82
TADF1 (EB)	−5.99	−3.35	2.64	2.65
Depopulation Agent 1	−5.48	−2.73	2.75	2.59
(SB)
Depopulation Agent 2	−5.54	−2.20	3.34	2.9
(SB)
Depopulation Agent 3	−5.55	−2.69	2.86
(SB)
Depopulation Agent 4	−5.72	−2.95	2.77	2.60
(SB)
Depopulation Agent 5	−5.66	−2.35	3.31	2.71
(SB)
Depopulation Agent 6	−5.66	−2.70	2.96
(SB)
Depopulation Agent 7	−5.86	−2.88	2.98	2.62
(SB)

TABLE 2
Examples of setups of devices D1 to D7
			Comparative
Layer	Thickness	Examples (Ex.)	Example C1
10	100 nm	Al	Al
9	2 nm	Liq	Liq
8	20 nm	NBPhen	NBPhen
7	10 nm	HBL1	HBL1
6	50 nm	Depopulation Agent selected from	TADF1 (20%):
	light-	Depopulation Agents 1 to 7 (each	mCBP (80%)
	emitting	1% by weight or 5% by weight):
	layer B	TADF1 (20% by weight): add up to
		a total of 100% by weight, based on
		the light-emitting layer B of mCBP
		(i.e., 79% by weight or 75% by
		weight, respectively)
5	10 nm	mCBP	mCBP
4	10 nm	TCTA	TCTA
3	50 nm	NPB	NPB
2	5 nm	HAT-CN	HAT-CN
1	50 nm	ITO	ITO
substrate		glass	glass

TABLE 3
Photophysical properties of layers
		Concen-			Relative
		tration of		Relative	LT95 at
	Device No.	depopulation	EHOMO(SB)-	EQE at	1200	Δλ
Ex.	(depopulation	agent [%	EHOMO(HB)	1000	cd/m2	max
No.	agent)	by weight]	[eV]	cd/m2	[h]	[nm]
C1	C1	0	0	1	1	0
	(No
	Depopulation
	Agent)
E1a	D1	1	0.54	1.15	3.39	3
E1b	(Depopulation	5	0.54	1.01	1.41	12
	Agent 1)
E2a	D2	1	0.48	1.08	2.64	2
E2b	(Depopulation	5	0.48	1.12	2.35	2
	Agent 2)
E3a	D3	1	0.47	0.99	4.04	2
E3b	(Depopulation	5	0.47	0.98	2.11	2
	Agent 3)
E4a	D4	1	0.3	1.01	1.99	2
E4b	(Depopulation	5	0.3	1.03	1.83	2
	Agent 4)
E5a	D5	1	0.36	1.04	2.5	2
E5b	(Depopulation	5	0.36	1.06	4.2	2
	Agent 5)
E6a	D6	1	0.36	1	1.45	2
E6b	(Depopulation	5	0.36	1.02	1.33	2
	Agent 6)
E7a	D7	1	0.16	1.01	1.04	0
E7b	(Depopulation	5	0.16	1.02	1.04	0
	Agent 7)
Δλ max (nm) denotes the difference in the emission maximum λ max (nm) of the comparative device C1 (λ max (nm)comp) and the example (λ max (nm)exp): Δλ max (nm) = λ max (nm)comp − λ max (nM)exp.

The emitting layer of Comparative device C1 only contains TADF1 and mCBP The external quantum efficiency (FOE) at 1000 cd/m² is 16% and the lifetime LT95 at 1200 cd/m² value was determined to be 490 h. The emission maximum is at 520 nm at 10 mA/cm². The corresponding CIFx value is 0.306 and CIFy is 0.604.

Device D1 comprises the same layer arrangement as device D1, except that the emitting layer contains TADF1, mCBP and Depopulation Agent 1 with either 1% by weight or 5% by weight. The concentration by weight of TADF1 is always set to 20% by weight, wherein the concentration of mCBP is either 79% by weight, in case the Depopulation Agent is used with 1% by weight or 75% by weight, in case the Depopulation Agent is used with 5% by weight.
Device D2 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent 1 to Depopulation Agent 2.
Device D3 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent 1 to Depopulation Agent 3.
Device D4 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent 1 to Depopulation Agent 4.
Device D5 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent 1 to Depopulation Agent 5.
Device D6 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent 1 to Depopulation Agent 6.
Device D7 is prepared in the same manner as device D1, unless changing the Depopulation Agent 1 to Depopulation Agent 7.

It was surprisingly found that the presence of a depopulation agent may lead to an increasing lifetime in a device according to the present invention, while the EQE is at least similar, often increased. The emitted color/emission maximum wavelength typically remains in an at least similar range. For all devices with a Depopulation Agent, which shows a E^HOMO(S^B)−E^HOMO(H^B)>0.2 eV a significant enhanced LT95 at 1200 cd/m² can be observed compared to the comparative example C1 without a Depopulation Agent and compared to example D7, as the relative lifetime LT95 at 1200 cd/m² is enhanced by at least 30% and up to more than 300%.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. 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 (1) to (3) and either (4a) and (4b), or (5a) and (5b) apply: S1H>S1E  (1) S1H>S1S  (2) S1S>S1E  (3) EHOMO(EB)≤EHOMO(HB)  (4a) 0.2 eV≤EHOMO(SB)−EHOMO(EB)≤0.8 eV  (4b) EHOMO(HB)≥EHOMO(EB)  (5a) 0.2 eV≤EHOMO(SB)−EHOMO(HB)≤0.8 eV  (5b).

18. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein the TADF material EB has a ΔEST value, which corresponds to the energy difference between S1E and T1E, of less than 0.4 eV.

19. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein the mass ratio of the TADF material EB to depopulation agent SB (EB:SB) is >1.

20. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein the organic electroluminescent device is selected from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode, a light emitting electrochemical cell, and a light-emitting transistor.

21. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein the TADF material EB is an organic TADF emitter or a combination of two or more organic TADF emitters.

22. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein the depopulation agent SB is an organic TADF emitter or a combination of two or more organic TADF emitters.

23. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein 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 (7) applies:

ELUMO(SB)>ELUMO(EB)  (7).

24. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein a relation expressed by formula (6a), (6b), or (6c) applies:

EHOMO(EB)>EHOMO(HB)  (6a)

EHOMO(HB)>EHOMO(EB)  (6b)

−0.2 eV≤EHOMO(HB)−EHOMO(EB)≤0.2 eV  (6c).

25. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises:

(i) 39.8-98% by weight of the host compound HB;

(ii) 0.1-50% by weight of the TADF material EB; and

(iii) 0.1-50% by weight of depopulation agent SB; and optionally

(iv) 0-60% by weight of one or more further host compounds HB2 differing from HB; and optionally

(v) 0-60% by weight of one or more solvents; and optionally

(vi) 0-30% by weight of at least one further emitter molecule F.

26. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein the light-emitting layer B comprises 1-8% by weight of the depopulation agent SB.

27. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein the depopulation agent SB has a ΔEST value, which corresponds to the energy difference between S1S and T1S, of less than 0.4 eV.

28. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein the TADF emitter EB and/or the depopulation agent SB comprises or consists of a structure according to Formula I-TADF

wherein: is at each occurrence independently from another 1 or 2; p is at each occurrence independently from another 1 or 2; X is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of ArEWGH, CN, and CF3; Z is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of a direct bond, CR3R4, C═CR3R4, C═O, C═NR3, NR3, O, SiR3R4, S, S(O), and S(O)2; ArEWG is at each occurrence independently from another a structure according to one of Formulas IIa to IIk

wherein # represents the binding site of the single bond linking ArEWG to the substituted central phenyl ring of Formula I-TADF; R1 is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C5-alkyl, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are optionally substituted by deuterium, and C6-C18-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R6; R2 is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C5-alkyl, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are optionally substituted by deuterium, and C6-C18-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R6; Ra, R3, and R4 are at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, N(R5)2, OR5, SR5, Si(R5)3, CF3, CN, F, C1-C40-alkyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5 and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2-groups are optionally substituted by R5C═CR5, C≡C, Si(R5)2, Ge(R5)2, Sn(R5)2, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR5, P(═O)(R5), SO, SO2, NR5, O, S, or CONR5; C1-C40-thioalkoxy, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5 and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2-groups are optionally substituted by R5C═CR5, C≡C, Si(R5)2, Ge(R5)2, Sn(R5)2, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR5, P(═O)(R5), SO, SO2, NR5, O, S, or CONR5; C6-C60-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5; and C3-C57-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5; R5 is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, N(R6)2, OR6, SR6, Si(R6)3, CF3, CN, F, C1-C40-alkyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R6 and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2-groups are optionally substituted by R6C═CR6, C≡C, Si(R6)2, Ge(R6)2, Sn(R6)2, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR6, P(═O)(R6), SO, SO2, NR6, O, S, or CONR6; C6-C60-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R6; and C3-C57-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R6; R6 is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, OPh, CF3, CN, F, C1-C5-alkyl, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are optionally, independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F; C1-C5-alkoxy, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are optionally, independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F; C1-C5-thioalkoxy, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are optionally, independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F; C6-C18-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more C1-C5-alkyl substituents; C3-C17-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more C6-C18-aryl substituents and/or one or more C1-C5-alkyl substituents; N(C6-C18-aryl)2; N(C3-C17-heteroaryl)2; and N(C3-C17-heteroaryl)(C6-C18-aryl); Rd is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, N(R5)2, OR5, SR5, Si(R5)3, CF3, CN, F, C1-C40-alkyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5 and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2-groups are optionally substituted by R5C═CR5, C≡C, Si(R5)2, Ge(R5)2, Sn(R5)2, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR5, P(═O)(R5), SO, SO2, NR5, O, S, or CONR5; C1-C40-thioalkoxy, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5 and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2-groups are optionally substituted by R5C═CR5, C≡C, Si(R5)2, Ge(R5)2, Sn(R5)2, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR5, P(═O)(R5), SO, SO2, NR5, O, S, or CONR5; C6-C60-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5; and C3-C57-heteroaryl which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5; wherein the substituents Ra, R3, R4, or R5 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, R3, R4, or R5; and wherein the one or more substituents Rd 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.

29. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17, wherein depopulation agent SB comprises or consists of a structure according to Formula I-NRCT:

wherein:

o is 0 or 1;

m=1−o;

X1 is N or B;

X2 is N or B;

X3 is N or B;

W is selected from the group consisting of Si(R3S)2, C(R3S)2, and BR3S;

each of R1S, R2S, and R3S is independently from each other selected from the group consisting of:

C1-C5-alkyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R6S;

C6-C60-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R6S; and

C3-C57-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R6S;

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, N(R5S)2, OR5S, Si(R5S)3, B(OR5S)2, OSO2R5S, CF3, CN, halogen,

C1-C40-alkyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5S, and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2-groups are each optionally substituted by R55C═CR5S, C≡C, Si(R5S)2, Ge(R5S)2, Sn(R5S)2, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR5S, P(═O)(R5S), SO, SO2, NR5S, O, S, or CONR5S;

C1-C40-alkoxy, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5S, and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2-groups are each optionally substituted by R5SC═CR5S, C≡C, Si(R5S)2, Ge(R5S)2, Sn(R5S)2, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR5S, P(═O)(R5S), SO, SO2, NR5S, O, S, or CONR5S;

C1-C40-thioalkoxy, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5S, and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2-groups are each optionally substituted by R5SC═CR5S, C≡C, Si(R5S)2, Ge(R5S)2, Sn(R5S)2, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR5S, P(═O)(R5S), SO, SO2, NR5S, O, S, or CONR5S;

C2-C40-alkenyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5S, and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2-groups are each optionally substituted by R5SC═CR5S, C≡C, Si(R5S)2, Ge(R5S)2, Sn(R5S)2, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR5S, P(═O)(R5S), SO, SO2, NR5S, O, S, or CONR5S;

C2-C40-alkynyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5S, and wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2-groups are each optionally substituted by R5SC═CR5S, C≡C, Si(R5S)2, Ge(R5S)2, Sn(R5S)2, C═O, C═S, C═Se, C═NR5S, P(═O)(R5S), SO, SO2, NR5S, O, S, or CONR5S;

C6-C60-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents R5S; and

C3-C57-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents RSS;

R5S is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, deuterium, OPh, CF3, CN, F,

C1-C5-alkyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F;

C1-C5-alkoxy, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F;

C1-C5-thioalkoxy, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F;

C2-C5-alkenyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F;

C2-C5-alkynyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F;

C6-C18-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more C1-C5-alkyl substituents;

C3-C17-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more C1-C5-alkyl substituents;

N(C6-C18-aryl)2;

N(C3-C17-heteroaryl)2; and

N(C3-C17-heteroaryl)(C6-C18-aryl);

R6S is at each occurrence independently from another selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, OPh, CF3, CN, F,

C1-C5-alkyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F;

C1-C5-alkoxy, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F;

C1-C5-thioalkoxy, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F;

C2-C5-alkenyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F;

C2-C5-alkynyl, wherein optionally one or more hydrogen atoms are independently from each other substituted by deuterium, CN, CF3, or F;

C6-C18-aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more C1-C5-alkyl substituents;

C3-C17-heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more C1-C5-alkyl substituents;

N(C6-C15-aryl)2;

N(C3-C17-heteroaryl)2; and

N(C3-C17-heteroaryl)(C6-C15-aryl);

wherein 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 optionally each form a mono- or polycyclic, aliphatic, aromatic, and/or benzo-fused ring system with another; and

wherein at least one of X1, X2, and X3 is B and at least one of X1, X2, and X3 is N.

30. A method for generating visible light comprising the steps of:

(i) providing an organic electroluminescent device according to claim 17; and

(ii) applying an electrical current to the organic electroluminescent device.

31. A thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) material EB in combination with at least one host material HB and at least one depopulation agent SB in a light-emitting layer for increasing the lifetime of the organic electroluminescent device.

32. The TADF material EB in combination with at least one host material HB and at least one depopulation agent SB in a light-emitting layer of claim 31, wherein:

(i) the host material HB 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) the TADF material EB 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) the depopulation agent SB 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 (1) to (3) and either (4a) and (4b), or (5a) and (5b) apply: S1H>S1E  (1) S1H>S1S  (2) S1S>S1E  (3) EHOMO(EB)≤EHOMO(HB)  (4a) 0.2 eV≤EHOMO(SB)−EHOMO(EB)≤0.8 eV  (4b) EHOMO(HB)≥EHOMO(EB)  (5a) 0.2 eV≤EHOMO(SB)−EHOMO(HB)≤0.8 eV  (5b).