JP4935024B2 - ORGANIC ELECTROLUMINESCENT ELEMENT, DISPLAY DEVICE AND LIGHTING DEVICE USING THE SAME - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescence element, and particularly relates to an organic electroluminescence element having high luminous efficiency and a long emission lifetime.

  Conventionally, as a light-emitting electronic display device, there is an electroluminescence display (hereinafter referred to as ELD). Examples of constituent elements of ELD include inorganic electroluminescent elements and organic electroluminescent elements (hereinafter referred to as organic EL elements). Inorganic electroluminescent elements have been used as planar light sources, but an alternating high voltage is required to drive the light emitting elements. An organic EL device has a structure in which a light emitting layer containing a compound that emits light is sandwiched between a cathode and an anode, and injects electrons and holes into the light emitting layer and recombines them to generate excitons. An element that emits light by using light emission (fluorescence / phosphorescence) when this exciton is deactivated, and can emit light at a voltage of several V to several tens V, and is self-luminous. Therefore, it has a wide viewing angle, high visibility, and since it is a thin-film type complete solid-state device, it has attracted attention from the viewpoints of space saving and portability.

  However, in organic EL elements for practical use in the future, development of organic EL elements that emit light efficiently and with high luminance with lower power consumption is desired.

  In Japanese Patent No. 3093796, a small amount of phosphor is doped into a stilbene derivative, a distyrylarylene derivative or a tristyrylarylene derivative to achieve an improvement in light emission luminance and a longer device lifetime.

  Further, an element having an organic light-emitting layer in which an 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum complex is used as a host compound and a small amount of phosphor is doped thereto (for example, JP-A 63-264692), and an 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum complex is used as a host compound. For example, an element having an organic light emitting layer doped with a quinacridone dye (for example, JP-A-3-255190) is known.

  As described above, when light emission from excited singlet is used, the generation ratio of singlet excitons and triplet excitons is 1: 3, and thus the generation probability of luminescent excited species is 25%. Since the efficiency is about 20%, the limit of the external extraction quantum efficiency (ηext) is set to 5%.

  However, since Princeton University reported on organic EL devices using phosphorescence emission from excited triplets (MA Baldo et al., Nature, 395, 151-154 (1998)), at room temperature. Research on materials that exhibit phosphorescence has become active.

  For example, M.M. A. Baldo et al. , Nature, 403, 17, 750-753 (2000), US Pat. No. 6,097,147, and the like.

  When excited triplets are used, the upper limit of internal quantum efficiency is 100%, so that in principle the luminous efficiency is four times that of excited singlets, and there is a possibility that almost the same performance as cold cathode tubes can be obtained. Therefore, it is attracting attention as a lighting application.

  For example, S.M. Lamansky et al. , J .; Am. Chem. Soc. , 123, 4304 (2001), etc., many compounds have been studied for synthesis centering on heavy metal complexes such as iridium complexes.

  In addition, the aforementioned M.I. A. Baldo et al. , Nature, Vol. 403, No. 17, pages 750-753 (2000), studies have been made using tris (2-phenylpyridine) iridium as a dopant.

In addition, M.M. E. Thompson et al., In The 10th International Works on Inorganic and Organic Electroluminescence (EL'00, Hamamatsu), used L ₂ Ir (acac), for example, (ppy) ₂ Ir (acac) as a dopant. 0 g, Tetsuo Tsutsui, etc., again, The 10th International Workshop on Inorganic and Organic Electroluminescence (EL'00, Hamamatsu) in, as a dopant tris (2-(p-tolyl) pyridine) iridium (Ir (ptpy) _3), Studies using tris (benzo [h] quinoline) iridium (Ir (bzq) ₃ ) and the like are being conducted (note that these metal complexes are generally called orthometalated iridium complexes).

  In addition, S. Lamansky et al. , J .; Am. Chem. Soc. , 123, 4304 (2001), etc., attempts have been made to form devices using various iridium complexes.

  In order to obtain high luminous efficiency, in the 10th International Works on Inorganic and Organic Electroluminescence (EL'00, Hamamatsu), Ikai et al. Uses a hole transporting compound as a host of a phosphorescent compound. In addition, M.M. E. Thompson et al. Use various electron transporting materials as a host of a phosphorescent compound, doped with a novel iridium complex.

  Orthometalated complexes in which the central metal is platinum instead of iridium are also attracting attention. With regard to this type of complex, there are many known examples in which a ligand is characterized (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5 and Non-Patent Document 1).

  In any case, the light emission luminance and light emission efficiency of the light emitting device are greatly improved compared to conventional devices because the emitted light is derived from phosphorescence. There was a problem that it was lower than the conventional element. As described above, phosphorescent high-efficiency light-emitting materials are not capable of sufficiently achieving practical performance because it is difficult to shorten the emission wavelength and improve the light emission lifetime of the device.

In order to improve these, an Ir complex or a Pt complex having a phenylimidazole derivative as a ligand is known (see Patent Documents 6 and 7). However, the luminous efficiency and device lifetime of these complexes are not sufficient, and further improvements in efficiency and device lifetime are required.
JP 2002-332291 A JP 2002-332292 A JP 2002-338588 A JP 2002-226495 A JP 2002-234894 A International Publication No. 02/15645 International Publication No. 05/7767 Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 41, No. 12, pp. 3055-3066 (2002)

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an organic EL element, a lighting device, and a display device that have a light emission wavelength controlled, exhibit high light emission efficiency, and have a long light emission lifetime. That is.

Above-mentioned problems, Ki de be solved by the following constitution (1) to (9), in particular the present invention, in the configuration (1), the general formula (1) of A1, B2 is to form a benzene ring Represents a residue necessary for forming a pyrazole ring, and L represents a simple bond.

  (1) In an organic electroluminescence device containing at least a light emitting layer sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, the light emitting layer contains at least one compound represented by the following general formula (1). Organic electroluminescence device.

(In the formula, Ra represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group or a heterocyclic group, Rb and Rc represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, X represents N or C , and A1 and B2 represent an aromatic ring. represents a residue necessary to form an aromatic heterocyclic ring, B1 represents a residue necessary to form a Fang aromatic heterocycle, L represents a linkage group or a single bond, M is Ir Or Pt, n represents 1 or 2, m represents 1 or 2, and m + n is 2 or 3. However, the plurality of ligands are not all the same.)
(2) The organic electroluminescence as described in (1) above, wherein the compound represented by the general formula (1) is a compound represented by the following general formula (2), (3) or (4) element.

(In the formula, Ra, Rb and Rc are respectively synonymous with Ra, Rb and Rc in the general formula (1), Rf represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group and a heterocyclic group; Represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and A 1, B 2, M, n, m, and m + n have the same meanings as A 1, B 2, M, n, m, and m + n in the general formula (1), respectively. The ranks are not all the same.)

(In the formula, Ra, Rb and Rc are respectively synonymous with Ra, Rb and Rc in the general formula (1), Rh, Ri and Rj represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and A1, B2, M, n, m and m + n have the same meanings as A1, B2, M, n, m and m + n in the general formula (1), respectively.

(In the formula, Ra, Rb and Rc are respectively synonymous with Ra, Rb and Rc in the general formula (1), Rl and Rn represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, Rk represents an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, Represents a heterocyclic group, and A1, B2, M, n, m, and m + n have the same meanings as A1, B2, M, n, m, and m + n in the general formula (1).
(3) The organic as described in (1) or (2) above, wherein A1 of the compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) to (4) is a residue that forms a benzene ring Electroluminescence element.

(4) The organic electro of any one of (1) to (3), wherein M of the compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) to (4) is Ir. Luminescence element.

  (5) The organic electroluminescence device as described in any one of (1) to (4) above, which emits blue light.

  (6) The organic electroluminescent element according to any one of (1) to (4), which emits white light.

  (7) A display device comprising the organic electroluminescence element according to any one of (1) to (6).

  (8) An illuminating device comprising the organic electroluminescence element according to any one of (1) to (6).

  (9) A display device comprising the illumination device according to (8) and a liquid crystal element as display means.

  According to the present invention, an organic EL element having high luminous efficiency and a long lifetime can be formed, and an illumination device and a display device using the organic EL element can be provided.

  The organic EL device of the present invention is an organic EL device containing at least a light emitting layer sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, wherein the light emitting layer contains at least one compound represented by the general formula (1). It is characterized by.

  In the general formula (1), examples of the aliphatic group represented by Ra include a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a tert-butyl group, an n-octyl group, an eicosyl group, and a 2-chloroethyl group. , 2-cyanoethyl group, 2-ethylhexyl group, vinyl group, allyl group, etc., and examples of the aromatic group include phenyl group, o-tolyl group, m-tolyl group, p-tolyl group, naphthyl group, m -Chlorophenyl group, 4-dimethylaminophenyl group, o-hexadecanoylaminophenyl group, naphthyl group, etc., and examples of the heterocyclic group include pyridyl group, thiazolyl group, oxazolyl group, imidazolyl group, furyl group, pyrrolyl group , Pyrazinyl group, pyrimidinyl group, pyridazinyl group, selenazolyl group, sulfolanyl group, piperidinyl group, pyrazolyl group It represents a tetrazolyl group, and the like.

  Examples of the substituent represented by Rb and Rc include an alkyl group (for example, methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, isopropyl group, tert-butyl group, pentyl group, hexyl group, octyl group, dodecyl group, tridecyl group). , Tetradecyl group, pentadecyl group etc.), cycloalkyl group (eg cyclopentyl group, cyclohexyl group etc.), alkenyl group (eg vinyl group, allyl group etc.), alkynyl group (eg ethynyl group, propargyl group etc.), aryl Groups (for example, phenyl group, p-chlorophenyl group, mesityl group, tolyl group, xylyl group, naphthyl group, anthryl group, azulenyl group, acenaphthenyl group, fluorenyl group, phenanthryl group, indenyl group, pyrenyl group, biphenylyl group, etc.), Aromatic heterocycle (eg, furyl, thienyl, Lysyl group, pyridazyl group, pyrimidyl group, pyrazyl group, triazyl group, imidazolyl group, pyrazolyl group, thiazolyl group, benzoimidazolyl group, benzoxazolyl group, quinazolyl group, phthalazyl group, etc.), heterocyclic group (for example, pyrrolidyl group, Imidazolidyl group, morpholyl group, oxazolidyl group, etc.), alkoxy group (for example, methoxy group, ethoxy group, propyloxy group, pentyloxy group, hexyloxy group, octyloxy group, dodecyloxy group, etc.), cycloalkoxy group (for example, Cyclopentyloxy group, cyclohexyloxy group, etc.), aryloxy group (eg, phenoxy group, naphthyloxy group, etc.), alkylthio group (eg, methylthio group, ethylthio group, propylthio group, pentylthio group, hexylthio group, octylthio group) , Dodecylthio group etc.), cycloalkylthio group (eg cyclopentylthio group, cyclohexylthio group etc.), arylthio group (eg phenylthio group, naphthylthio group etc.), alkoxycarbonyl group (eg methyloxycarbonyl group, ethyloxycarbonyl group) Butyloxycarbonyl group, octyloxycarbonyl group, dodecyloxycarbonyl group, etc.), aryloxycarbonyl group (eg, phenyloxycarbonyl group, naphthyloxycarbonyl group, etc.), sulfamoyl group (eg, aminosulfonyl group, methylaminosulfonyl group) , Dimethylaminosulfonyl group, butylaminosulfonyl group, hexylaminosulfonyl group, cyclohexylaminosulfonyl group, octylaminosulfonyl group, dodecylaminosulfonyl group Group, phenylaminosulfonyl group, naphthylaminosulfonyl group, 2-pyridylaminosulfonyl group, etc.), acyl group (for example, acetyl group, ethylcarbonyl group, propylcarbonyl group, pentylcarbonyl group, cyclohexylcarbonyl group, octylcarbonyl group, 2- Ethylhexylcarbonyl group, dodecylcarbonyl group, phenylcarbonyl group, naphthylcarbonyl group, pyridylcarbonyl group, etc.), acyloxy group (for example, acetyloxy group, ethylcarbonyloxy group, butylcarbonyloxy group, octylcarbonyloxy group, dodecylcarbonyloxy group) , Phenylcarbonyloxy group, etc.), amide group (for example, methylcarbonylamino group, ethylcarbonylamino group, dimethylcarbonylamino group, propylcarbonylamino group) Group, pentylcarbonylamino group, cyclohexylcarbonylamino group, 2-ethylhexylcarbonylamino group, octylcarbonylamino group, dodecylcarbonylamino group, phenylcarbonylamino group, naphthylcarbonylamino group, etc.), carbamoyl group (for example, aminocarbonyl group, Methylaminocarbonyl group, dimethylaminocarbonyl group, propylaminocarbonyl group, pentylaminocarbonyl group, cyclohexylaminocarbonyl group, octylaminocarbonyl group, 2-ethylhexylaminocarbonyl group, dodecylaminocarbonyl group, phenylaminocarbonyl group, naphthylaminocarbonyl Group, 2-pyridylaminocarbonyl group, etc.), ureido group (for example, methylureido group, ethylureido group, pentylurea) Group, cyclohexylureido group, octylureido group, dodecylureido group, phenylureido group, naphthylureido group, 2-pyridylaminoureido group, etc.), sulfinyl group (for example, methylsulfinyl group, ethylsulfinyl group, butylsulfinyl group, cyclohexylsulfinyl group) 2-ethylhexylsulfinyl group, dodecylsulfinyl group, phenylsulfinyl group, naphthylsulfinyl group, 2-pyridylsulfinyl group, etc.), alkylsulfonyl group (for example, methylsulfonyl group, ethylsulfonyl group, butylsulfonyl group, cyclohexylsulfonyl group, 2 -Ethylhexylsulfonyl group, dodecylsulfonyl group, etc.), arylsulfonyl group (for example, phenylsulfonyl group, naphthylsulfonyl group, 2-pyridyls) Sulfonyl group, etc.), amino group (for example, amino group, ethylamino group, dimethylamino group, butylamino group, cyclopentylamino group, 2-ethylhexylamino group, dodecylamino group, anilino group, naphthylamino group, 2-pyridylamino group) Etc.), halogen atoms (eg fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom etc.), fluorinated hydrocarbon groups (eg fluoromethyl group, trifluoromethyl group, pentafluoroethyl group, pentafluorophenyl group etc.), cyano group And silyl groups (for example, trimethylsilyl group, triisopropylsilyl group, triphenylsilyl group, phenyldiethylsilyl group, etc.). These groups may further have a substituent.

  A1 and B2 each represent a residue necessary for forming an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocycle, and examples of the aromatic ring formed by A1 and B2 include a benzene ring and a naphthalene ring. As the aromatic heterocycle formed by B2, for example, furan ring, thiophene ring, pyridine ring, pyridazine ring, pyrimidine ring, pyrazole ring, triazine ring, imidazole ring, pyrazole ring, thiazole ring, benzimidazole ring, benzo An oxazole ring, a quinazole ring, a phthalazine ring, etc. are mentioned. These groups may be further substituted with the substituents exemplified for Rb. The aromatic ring formed by A1 is preferably a benzene ring.

  B1 represents a residue necessary for forming an aromatic heterocycle, and examples of the aromatic heterocycle formed by B1 include a furan ring, a thiophene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a pyrazole ring, Examples thereof include a triazine ring, an imidazole ring, a pyrazole ring, a thiazole ring, a benzimidazole ring, a benzoxazole ring, a quinazole ring, and a phthalazine ring.

  Examples of the linking group represented by L include an alkylene group and an arylene group. These groups may be further substituted with the substituents exemplified for Rb.

  M represents Ir or Pt, preferably Ir.

  It is preferable that the compound represented by the general formula (1) is a compound represented by the general formula (2), (3), or (4).

  Ra, Rb, Rc, A1, B2, M, n, m, m + n in the general formula (2), (3) or (4) are A1, B2, M, n, m in the general formula (1). Each is synonymous with m + n.

  Examples of the substituent represented by Rd, Re, Rf, Rh, Ri, Rj, Rk, Rl, and Rn include the substituents exemplified for Rb.

  The compounds represented by the general formulas (1) to (4) according to the present invention are specifically shown below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  Specific examples of the ligand (ligand) coordinated to the central metal M are shown below.

  Specific examples of compounds formed by the ligand and the central metal are shown below.

In addition, a compound is represented as (La) _n M (Lb) _{m and} is represented by La, n, Lb, m, and M in the table.

  Next, specific examples of the azacarbazole derivative useful as a host compound used in the light emitting layer of the organic EL device of the present invention are given below. However, the present invention is not limited to these.

  Specific examples of the carbazole derivative useful as a host compound for the organic EL device of the present invention are given below. However, the present invention is not limited to these.

  The constituent layers of the organic EL element of the present invention will be described. In this invention, although the preferable specific example of the layer structure of an organic EL element is shown below, this invention is not limited to these.

(I) Anode / light emitting layer / electron transport layer / cathode (ii) Anode / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / electron transport layer / cathode (iii) Anode / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / hole blocking layer / electron Transport layer / cathode (iv) Anode / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / hole blocking layer / electron transport layer / cathode buffer layer / cathode (v) Anode / anode buffer layer / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / hole Blocking layer / electron transport layer / cathode buffer layer / cathode In the organic EL device of the present invention, the blue light emitting layer preferably has an emission maximum wavelength of 430 to 480 nm, and the green light emitting layer has an emission maximum wavelength of 510 to 550 nm. The red light emitting layer is preferably a monochromatic light emitting layer having a light emission maximum wavelength in the range of 600 to 640 nm, and is preferably a display device using these. Alternatively, a white light emitting layer may be formed by laminating at least three light emitting layers. Further, a non-light emitting intermediate layer may be provided between the light emitting layers. The organic EL element of the present invention is preferably a white light emitting layer, and is preferably a lighting device using these.

  Each layer which comprises the organic EL element of this invention is demonstrated.

"anode"
As the anode in the organic EL element, an electrode material made of a metal, an alloy, an electrically conductive compound, or a mixture thereof having a high work function (4 eV or more) is preferably used. Specific examples of such electrode materials include metals such as Au, and conductive transparent materials such as CuI, indium tin oxide (ITO), SnO ₂ and ZnO. Alternatively, an amorphous material such as IDIXO (In ₂ O ₃ —ZnO) capable of forming a transparent conductive film may be used. For the anode, these electrode materials may be formed into a thin film by a method such as vapor deposition or sputtering, and a pattern having a desired shape may be formed by a photolithography method. ), A pattern may be formed through a mask having a desired shape when the electrode material is deposited or sputtered. Or when using the substance which can be apply | coated like an organic electroconductivity compound, wet film forming methods, such as a printing system and a coating system, can also be used. When light emission is extracted from the anode, it is desirable that the transmittance be greater than 10%, and the sheet resistance as the anode is preferably several hundred Ω / □ or less. Further, although the film thickness depends on the material, it is usually selected in the range of 10 to 1000 nm, preferably 10 to 200 nm.

"cathode"
On the other hand, as the cathode, a material having a low work function (4 eV or less) metal (referred to as an electron injecting metal), an alloy, an electrically conductive compound, and a mixture thereof as an electrode material is used. Specific examples of such electrode materials include sodium, sodium-potassium alloy, magnesium, lithium, magnesium / copper mixture, magnesium / silver mixture, magnesium / aluminum mixture, magnesium / indium mixture, aluminum / aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ) Mixtures, indium, lithium / aluminum mixtures, rare earth metals and the like. Among these, from the point of durability against electron injection and oxidation, etc., a mixture of an electron injecting metal and a second metal which is a stable metal having a larger work function than this, for example, a magnesium / silver mixture, Suitable are a magnesium / aluminum mixture, a magnesium / indium mixture, an aluminum / aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ) mixture, a lithium / aluminum mixture, aluminum and the like. The cathode can be produced by forming a thin film of these electrode materials by a method such as vapor deposition or sputtering. The sheet resistance as the cathode is preferably several hundred Ω / □ or less, and the film thickness is usually selected in the range of 10 nm to 5 μm, preferably 50 to 200 nm. In order to transmit the emitted light, if either one of the anode or the cathode of the organic EL element is transparent or translucent, the emission luminance is advantageously improved.

  Moreover, after producing the said metal with a film thickness of 1-20 nm on a cathode, a transparent or semi-transparent cathode can be produced by producing the electroconductive transparent material quoted by description of the anode on it, By applying this, an element in which both the anode and the cathode are transmissive can be manufactured.

  Next, an injection layer, a blocking layer, an electron transport layer and the like used as the constituent layers of the organic EL element of the present invention will be described.

<< Injection layer: electron injection layer, hole injection layer >>
The injection layer is provided as necessary, and there are an electron injection layer and a hole injection layer, and as described above, it exists between the anode and the light emitting layer or the hole transport layer and between the cathode and the light emitting layer or the electron transport layer. May be.

  An injection layer is a layer provided between an electrode and an organic layer in order to reduce drive voltage and improve light emission luminance. “Organic EL element and its forefront of industrialization (issued by NTT Corporation on November 30, 1998) 2), Chapter 2, “Electrode Materials” (pages 123 to 166) in detail, and includes a hole injection layer (anode buffer layer) and an electron injection layer (cathode buffer layer).

  The details of the anode buffer layer (hole injection layer) are described in JP-A-9-45479, JP-A-9-260062, JP-A-8-288069 and the like. As a specific example, copper phthalocyanine is used. Examples thereof include a phthalocyanine buffer layer represented by an oxide, an oxide buffer layer represented by vanadium oxide, an amorphous carbon buffer layer, and a polymer buffer layer using a conductive polymer such as polyaniline (emeraldine) or polythiophene.

  The details of the cathode buffer layer (electron injection layer) are described in JP-A-6-325871, JP-A-9-17574, JP-A-10-74586, and the like. Specifically, strontium, aluminum, etc. Metal buffer layer typified by lithium, alkali metal compound buffer layer typified by lithium fluoride, alkaline earth metal compound buffer layer typified by magnesium fluoride, oxide buffer layer typified by aluminum oxide, etc. . The buffer layer (injection layer) is preferably a very thin film, and the film thickness is preferably in the range of 0.1 nm to 5 μm although it depends on the material.

<Blocking layer: hole blocking layer, electron blocking layer>
As described above, the blocking layer is provided as necessary in addition to the basic constituent layer of the organic compound thin film. For example, it is described in JP-A Nos. 11-204258, 11-204359, and “Organic EL elements and their forefront of industrialization” (issued by NTT, Inc. on November 30, 1998). There is a hole blocking (hole blocking) layer.

  The hole blocking layer has a function of an electron transport layer in a broad sense, and is made of a hole blocking material that has a function of transporting electrons and has a remarkably small ability to transport holes. The probability of recombination of electrons and holes can be improved by blocking. Moreover, the structure of the electron carrying layer mentioned later can be used as a hole-blocking layer concerning this invention as needed.

  The hole blocking layer of the organic EL device of the present invention is preferably provided adjacent to the light emitting layer.

  The hole blocking layer preferably contains the azacarbazole derivative mentioned as the host compound.

  In the present invention, when a plurality of light emitting layers having different light emission colors are provided, the light emitting layer having the shortest wavelength of light emission is preferably closest to the anode among all the light emitting layers. In this case, it is preferable to additionally provide a hole blocking layer between the shortest wave layer and the light emitting layer next to the anode next to the layer. Furthermore, it is preferable that 50% by mass or more of the compound contained in the hole blocking layer provided at the position has an ionization potential of 0.3 eV or more higher than the host compound of the shortest wave emitting layer.

  The ionization potential is defined by the energy required to emit an electron at the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) level of the compound to the vacuum level, and can be obtained by the following method, for example.

  (1) Keywords using Gaussian 98 (Gaussian 98, Revision A.11.4, MJ Frisch, et al, Gaussian, Inc., Pittsburgh PA, 2002.), which is molecular orbital calculation software manufactured by Gaussian, USA. The ionization potential can be obtained as a value obtained by rounding off the second decimal place of the value (eV unit converted value) calculated by performing structural optimization using B3LYP / 6-31G *. This calculation value is effective because the correlation between the calculation value obtained by this method and the experimental value is high.

  (2) The ionization potential can also be obtained by a method of directly measuring by photoelectron spectroscopy. For example, a method known as ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy can be suitably used by using a low energy electron spectrometer “Model AC-1” manufactured by Riken Keiki Co., Ltd.

  On the other hand, the electron blocking layer has a function of a hole transport layer in a broad sense, and is made of a material that has a function of transporting holes and has an extremely small ability to transport electrons, and transports electrons while transporting holes. By blocking, the recombination probability of electrons and holes can be improved. Moreover, the structure of the positive hole transport layer mentioned later can be used as an electron blocking layer as needed. The film thickness of the hole blocking layer and the electron transport layer according to the present invention is preferably 3 nm to 100 nm, and more preferably 5 nm to 30 nm.

<Light emitting layer>
The light emitting layer according to the present invention is a layer that emits light by recombination of electrons and holes injected from the electrode, the electron transport layer, or the hole transport layer, and the light emitting portion is in the layer of the light emitting layer. May be the interface between the light emitting layer and the adjacent layer.

  The light emitting layer of the organic EL device of the present invention contains a host compound and the compounds represented by the general formulas (1) to (4) according to the present invention. In the present invention, the above-described compounds are preferably used as the host compound, but may be known host compounds or may be used in combination.

  Here, in the present invention, the host compound is a compound contained in the light emitting layer, the mass ratio in the layer is 20% or more, and phosphorescence quantum yield of phosphorescence emission at room temperature (25 ° C.). A rate is defined as a compound of less than 0.1. The phosphorescence quantum yield is preferably less than 0.01.

  Further, a plurality of known host compounds may be used in combination. By using a plurality of types of host compounds, it is possible to adjust the movement of charges, and the organic EL element can be made highly efficient. In addition, by using a plurality of compounds represented by the general formulas (1) to (4) of the present invention, it is possible to mix different luminescence, and thereby any luminescent color can be obtained. White light emission is possible by adjusting the kind of the luminescent metal complex and the doping amount, and it can be applied to illumination and backlight.

  As a known host compound that may be used in combination, a compound that has a hole transporting ability and an electron transporting ability, prevents the emission of light from being increased in wavelength, and has a high Tg (glass transition temperature) is preferable.

  Specific examples of known host compounds include compounds described in the following documents.

  JP-A-2001-257076, 2002-308855, 2001-313179, 2002-319491, 2001-357777, 2002-334786, 2002-8860, 2002-334787, 2002-15871, 2002-334788, 2002-43056, 2002-334789, 2002-75645, 2002-338579, 2002-105445 gazette, 2002-343568 gazette, 2002-141173 gazette, 2002-352957 gazette, 2002-203683 gazette, 2002-363227 gazette, 2002-231453 gazette, No. 003-3165, No. 2002-234888, No. 2003-27048, No. 2002-255934, No. 2002-286061, No. 2002-280183, No. 2002-299060, No. 2002. -302516, 2002-305083, 2002-305084, 2002-308837, and the like.

  In the present invention, in the case of having a plurality of light emitting layers, it is preferable that 50% by mass or more of the host compound in each layer is the same compound because it is easy to obtain a uniform film property over the entire organic layer. It is more preferable that the phosphorescence emission energy of the compound is 2.9 eV or more because it is advantageous in efficiently suppressing energy transfer from the dopant and obtaining high luminance.

  The phosphorescence emission energy as used in the field of this invention means the peak energy of the 0-0 band of the phosphorescence emission which measures the photoluminescence of a 100 nm vapor deposition film | membrane on a board | substrate with a host compound.

  The host compound used in the present invention preferably has a phosphorescence energy of 2.9 eV or more and a Tg of 90 ° C. or more. If the Tg is lower than 90 ° C., the deterioration of the element over time (decrease in luminance, deterioration of film properties) is large and the market needs as a light source cannot be satisfied. That is, in order to satisfy both luminance and durability, it is preferable that phosphorescence emission energy is 2.9 eV or more and Tg is 90 ° C. or more. Tg is more preferably 100 ° C. or higher.

  In the present invention, in the case of having a plurality of light emitting layers, 50% by mass or more of the host compound of the light emitting layer is the same compound having a phosphorescence emission energy of 2.9 eV or more and Tg of 90 ° C. or more. preferable. Surprisingly, even if the Tg is 90 ° C or higher and the material is individually excellent in durability, when a different compound is used for each light emitting layer, the same compound is used for all the light emitting layers in terms of the storage characteristics of the entire device. It was found that there was a case where it deteriorated compared with the case where it was. Although the cause of this is not clearly understood, when 50% by mass or more of the host compounds in all the light emitting layers are the same, that is, when the host compounds in all the light emitting layers are substantially the same, uniform film surface properties are obtained. Although it is easy to obtain, when a different compound is used for each light emitting layer, each compound is stable, but non-uniformity is likely to occur at the layer interface or the like.

(Metal complex compound of the present invention)
The material used for the light emitting layer (hereinafter referred to as the light emitting material) contains the above-mentioned host compound and at the same time the compounds represented by the general formulas (1) to (4) of the present invention.

  The metal complex compound of the present invention is a compound in which light emission from an excited triplet is observed, is a compound that emits phosphorescence at room temperature (25 ° C.), and has a phosphorescence quantum yield of 0.01 or more at 25 ° C. It is a compound of this. The phosphorescence quantum yield is preferably 0.1 or more. The phosphorescence quantum yield can be measured by the method described in Spectroscopic II, page 398 (1992 edition, Maruzen) of Experimental Chemistry Course 4 of the 4th edition. Although the phosphorescence quantum yield in a solution can be measured using various solvents, the phosphorescence quantum yield used in the present invention only needs to achieve the above phosphorescence quantum yield in any solvent.

  There are two types of light emission of the phosphorescent light emitting complex in principle. One is the recombination of the carrier on the host compound to which the carrier is transported to generate an excited state of the host compound, and this energy is phosphorescent. The energy transfer type is to obtain light emission from the phosphorescent luminescent complex by transferring to the phosphorescent luminescent complex, and the other is the carrier trap of the phosphorescent luminescent complex. It is a carrier trap type in which recombination occurs and light emission from the phosphorescent luminescent complex is obtained. In either case, the excited state energy of the phosphorescent luminescent complex is greater than the excited state energy of the host compound. The condition is also low.

  In addition to the compounds represented by the general formulas (1) to (4) of the present invention, a complex compound containing a group 8-10 metal in the periodic table of elements, preferably an iridium compound, an osmium compound, or A rare earth complex may be used in combination.

  These compounds are described, for example, in Inorg. Chem. 40, 1704-1711, and the like.

  In the present invention, the phosphorescent light emission maximum wavelength of the phosphorescent light emitting complex is not particularly limited, and in principle, by selecting a central metal, a ligand, a ligand substituent, and the like. The emission wavelength obtained can be changed.

  The light emission color of the organic EL device of the present invention and the compound according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 4.16 on page 108 of “New Color Science Handbook” (edited by the Japan Color Society, University of Tokyo Press, 1985). It is determined by the color when the result measured with the total CS-1000 (manufactured by Konica Minolta Sensing) is applied to the CIE chromaticity coordinates.

The white element referred to in the present invention means that when the front luminance at 2 ° C. viewing angle is measured by the above method, the chromaticity in the CIE 1931 color system at 1000 Cd / m ² is X = 0.33 ± 0.07, It is in the region of Y = 0.33 ± 0.07.

  The light emitting layer can be formed by forming the above compound by a known thinning method such as a vacuum deposition method, a spin coating method, a casting method, an LB method, or an ink jet method.

  In the present invention, the light emitting layer includes layers having different emission spectra in which the emission maximum wavelengths are in the range of 430 to 480 nm, 510 to 550 nm, and 600 to 640 nm, or a layer in which these are laminated.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a lamination order of a light emitting layer, You may have a nonluminous intermediate | middle layer between each light emitting layer. In the present invention, it is preferable that at least one blue light emitting layer is provided at a position closest to the anode in all the light emitting layers.

  When four or more light-emitting layers are provided, for example, blue / green / red / blue, blue / green / red / blue / green, blue / green / red / blue / green / red from the order close to the anode. In order to improve luminance stability, it is preferable to sequentially stack blue, green, and red.

  The total film thickness of the light emitting layer is not particularly limited, but is usually 2 nm to 5 μm, preferably 2 to 200 nm. In the present invention, it is preferably in the range of 10 to 20 nm. If it is too thin, it is difficult to obtain film uniformity. If it is thicker than this, a high voltage is required to obtain light emission, which is not preferable. A film thickness of 20 nm or less is preferable because it has the effect of improving the stability of the emission color with respect to the driving current as well as the voltage surface.

  The film thickness of each light emitting layer is preferably selected in the range of 2 to 100 nm, and more preferably in the range of 2 to 20 nm. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the film thickness relationship of each light emitting layer of blue, green, and red, It is preferable that the blue light emitting layer (the sum total when there are two or more layers) is the thickest among three light emitting layers.

  Moreover, in the range which maintains the said maximum wavelength, you may mix a several luminescent compound in each light emitting layer. For example, the blue light emitting layer may be used by mixing a blue light emitting compound having a maximum wavelength of 430 to 480 nm and a green light emitting compound having the same wavelength of 510 to 550 nm.

《Hole transport layer》
The hole transport layer is made of a hole transport material having a function of transporting holes, and in a broad sense, a hole injection layer and an electron blocking layer are also included in the hole transport layer. The hole transport layer can be provided as a single layer or a plurality of layers.

  The hole transport material has any one of hole injection or transport and electron barrier properties, and may be either organic or inorganic. For example, triazole derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, imidazole derivatives, polyarylalkane derivatives, pyrazoline derivatives and pyrazolone derivatives, phenylenediamine derivatives, arylamine derivatives, amino-substituted chalcone derivatives, oxazole derivatives, styrylanthracene derivatives, fluorenone derivatives, hydrazone derivatives, Examples thereof include stilbene derivatives, silazane derivatives, aniline copolymers, and conductive polymer oligomers, particularly thiophene oligomers.

  The above-mentioned materials can be used as the hole transport material, but it is preferable to use a porphyrin compound, an aromatic tertiary amine compound and a styrylamine compound, particularly an aromatic tertiary amine compound.

Representative examples of aromatic tertiary amine compounds and styrylamine compounds include N, N, N ', N'-tetraphenyl-4,4'-diaminophenyl; N, N'-diphenyl-N, N'- Bis (3-methylphenyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl] -4,4′-diamine (TPD); 2,2-bis (4-di-p-tolylaminophenyl) propane; 1,1-bis (4-di-p-tolylaminophenyl) cyclohexane; N, N, N ′, N′-tetra-p-tolyl-4,4′-diaminobiphenyl; 1,1-bis (4-di-p-tolyl) Aminophenyl) -4-phenylcyclohexane; bis (4-dimethylamino-2-methylphenyl) phenylmethane; bis (4-di-p-tolylaminophenyl) phenylmethane; N, N'-diphenyl-N, N ' − (4-methoxyphenyl) -4,4'-diaminobiphenyl; N, N, N ', N'-tetraphenyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether; 4,4'-bis (diphenylamino) quadriphenyl; N, N, N-tri (p-tolyl) amine; 4- (di-p-tolylamino) -4 '-[4- (di-p-tolylamino) styryl] stilbene; 4-N, N-diphenylamino- (2-diphenylvinyl) benzene; 3-methoxy-4′-N, N-diphenylaminostilbenzene; N-phenylcarbazole, and also two of those described in US Pat. No. 5,061,569. Having a condensed aromatic ring in the molecule, for example, 4,4'-bis [N- (1-naphthyl) -N-phenylamino] biphenyl (NPD), JP-A-4-3086 4,4 ', 4 "-tris [N- (3-methylphenyl) -N-phenylamino] triphenylamine in which three triphenylamine units described in Japanese Patent No. 8 are linked in a starburst type ( MTDA
TA) and the like.

  Furthermore, a polymer material in which these materials are introduced into a polymer chain or these materials are used as a polymer main chain can also be used. In addition, inorganic compounds such as p-type-Si and p-type-SiC can also be used as the hole injection material and the hole transport material.

  JP-A-11-251067, J. Org. Huang et. al. It is also possible to use so-called p-type hole transport materials as described in the literature (Applied Physics Letters 80 (2002), p. 139). In the present invention, it is preferable to use these materials because a light-emitting element with higher efficiency can be obtained.

  The hole transport layer can be formed by thinning the hole transport material by a known method such as a vacuum deposition method, a spin coating method, a casting method, a printing method including an ink jet method, or an LB method. it can. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the film thickness of a positive hole transport layer, Usually, 5 nm-about 5 micrometers, Preferably it is 5-200 nm. The hole transport layer may have a single layer structure composed of one or more of the above materials.

  Alternatively, a hole transport layer having a high p property doped with impurities can be used. Examples thereof include JP-A-4-297076, JP-A-2000-196140, JP-A-2001-102175, J.A. Appl. Phys. 95, 5773 (2004), and the like.

  In the present invention, it is preferable to use a hole transport layer having such a high p property because a device with lower power consumption can be produced.

《Electron transport layer》
The electron transport layer is made of a material having a function of transporting electrons, and in a broad sense, an electron injection layer and a hole blocking layer are also included in the electron transport layer. The electron transport layer can be provided as a single layer or a plurality of layers.

  Conventionally, in the case of a single electron transport layer and a plurality of layers, an electron transport material (also serving as a hole blocking material) used for an electron transport layer adjacent to the light emitting layer on the cathode side is injected from the cathode. As long as it has a function of transferring electrons to the light-emitting layer, any material can be selected and used from among conventionally known compounds. For example, nitro-substituted fluorene derivatives, diphenylquinone derivatives Thiopyrandioxide derivatives, carbodiimides, fluorenylidenemethane derivatives, anthraquinodimethane and anthrone derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives and the like. Furthermore, in the above oxadiazole derivative, a thiadiazole derivative in which the oxygen atom of the oxadiazole ring is substituted with a sulfur atom, and a quinoxaline derivative having a quinoxaline ring known as an electron withdrawing group can also be used as an electron transport material. Furthermore, a polymer material in which these materials are introduced into a polymer chain or these materials are used as a polymer main chain can also be used.

  In addition, metal complexes of 8-quinolinol derivatives such as tris (8-quinolinol) aluminum (Alq), tris (5,7-dichloro-8-quinolinol) aluminum, tris (5,7-dibromo-8-quinolinol) aluminum Tris (2-methyl-8-quinolinol) aluminum, tris (5-methyl-8-quinolinol) aluminum, bis (8-quinolinol) zinc (Znq), and the like, and the central metals of these metal complexes are In, Mg, Metal complexes replaced with Cu, Ca, Sn, Ga or Pb can also be used as the electron transport material. In addition, metal-free or metal phthalocyanine, or those having terminal ends substituted with an alkyl group or a sulfonic acid group can be preferably used as the electron transporting material. In addition, the distyrylpyrazine derivative exemplified as the material of the light emitting layer can also be used as an electron transport material, and similarly to the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer, inorganic such as n-type-Si and n-type-SiC can be used. A semiconductor can also be used as an electron transport material.

  The electron transport layer can be formed by thinning the electron transport material by a known method such as a vacuum deposition method, a spin coating method, a casting method, a printing method including an ink jet method, or an LB method. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the film thickness of an electron carrying layer, Usually, 5 nm-about 5 micrometers, Preferably it is 5-200 nm. The electron transport layer may have a single layer structure composed of one or more of the above materials.

  Further, an electron transport layer having a high n property doped with impurities can also be used. Examples thereof include JP-A-4-297076, JP-A-10-270172, JP-A-2000-196140, JP-A-2001-102175, J. Pat. Appl. Phys. 95, 5773 (2004), and the like.

  In the present invention, it is preferable to use an electron transport layer having such a high n property because an element with lower power consumption can be manufactured.

《Support substrate》
The support substrate (hereinafter also referred to as a substrate, substrate, substrate, support, etc.) that can be used in the organic EL device of the present invention is not particularly limited in the type of glass, plastic, etc., and is transparent. Or opaque. When extracting light from the support substrate side, the support substrate is preferably transparent. Examples of the transparent support substrate preferably used include glass, quartz, and a transparent resin film. A particularly preferable support substrate is a resin film capable of giving flexibility to the organic EL element.

Examples of the resin film include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), Cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate phthalate (TAC) and cellulose nitrate or derivatives thereof, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene vinyl alcohol, syndiotactic polystyrene, polycarbonate, norbornene resin, polymethylpentene, polyether ketone, polyimide , Polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfones, Cycloolefin resins such as polyether imide, polyether ketone imide, polyamide, fluororesin, nylon, polymethyl methacrylate, acrylic or polyarylate, Arton (trade name, manufactured by JSR) or Appel (trade name, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals) Can be mentioned. The surface of the resin film may be formed with an inorganic film, an organic film, or a hybrid film of both, and is preferably a barrier film having a water vapor permeability of 0.01 g / m ² / day · atm or less. Furthermore, a high barrier film having an oxygen permeability of 10 ⁻³ g / m ² / day or less and a water vapor permeability of 10 ⁻⁵ g / m ² / day or less is preferable.

  As a material for forming the barrier film, any material may be used as long as it has a function of suppressing intrusion of an element such as moisture or oxygen that causes deterioration of the element. For example, silicon oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or the like can be used. Further, in order to improve the brittleness of the film, it is more preferable to have a laminated structure of these inorganic layers and layers made of organic materials. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the lamination | stacking order of an inorganic layer and an organic layer, It is preferable to laminate | stack both alternately several times.

  The method for forming the barrier film is not particularly limited. For example, vacuum deposition, sputtering, reactive sputtering, molecular beam epitaxy, cluster ion beam method, ion plating method, plasma polymerization method, atmospheric pressure plasma A polymerization method, a plasma CVD method, a laser CVD method, a thermal CVD method, a coating method, or the like can be used, but an atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization method as described in JP-A-2004-68143 is particularly preferable.

  Examples of the opaque support substrate include metal plates such as aluminum and stainless steel, films, opaque resin substrates, and ceramic substrates.

  The external extraction efficiency at room temperature of light emission of the organic EL device of the present invention is preferably 1% or more, more preferably 5% or more. Here, the external extraction quantum efficiency (%) = the number of photons emitted to the outside of the organic EL element / the number of electrons sent to the organic EL element × 100.

  In addition, a hue improvement filter such as a color filter may be used in combination, or a color conversion filter that converts the emission color from the organic EL element into multiple colors using a phosphor. In the case of using a color conversion filter, the λmax of light emission of the organic EL element is preferably 480 nm or less.

<Sealing>
As a sealing means used for this invention, the method of adhere | attaching a sealing member, an electrode, and a support substrate with an adhesive agent can be mentioned, for example.

  The sealing member may be disposed so as to cover the display area of the organic EL element, and may be concave or flat. Further, transparency and electrical insulation are not particularly limited.

Specific examples include a glass plate, a polymer plate / film, and a metal plate / film. Examples of the glass plate include soda-lime glass, barium / strontium-containing glass, lead glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, barium borosilicate glass, and quartz. Examples of the polymer plate include polycarbonate, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polyether sulfide, and polysulfone. Examples of the metal plate include those made of one or more metals or alloys selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, magnesium, nickel, zinc, chromium, titanium, molybdenum, silicon, germanium, and tantalum. In the present invention, a polymer film and a metal film can be preferably used because the element can be thinned. Furthermore, the polymer film preferably has an oxygen permeability of 10 ⁻³ g / m ² / day or less and a water vapor permeability of 10 ⁻⁵ g / m ² / day or less.

  For processing the sealing member into a concave shape, sandblasting, chemical etching, or the like is used.

  Specific examples of the adhesive include photocuring and thermosetting adhesives having a reactive vinyl group of acrylic acid oligomers and methacrylic acid oligomers, and moisture curing adhesives such as 2-cyanoacrylate. be able to. Moreover, the heat | fever and chemical curing types (two-component mixing), such as an epoxy type, can be mentioned. Moreover, hot-melt type polyamide, polyester, and polyolefin can be mentioned. Moreover, a cationic curing type ultraviolet curing epoxy resin adhesive can be mentioned.

  In addition, since an organic EL element may deteriorate by heat processing, what can be adhesive-hardened from room temperature to 80 degreeC is preferable. A desiccant may be dispersed in the adhesive. Application | coating of the adhesive agent to a sealing part may use commercially available dispenser, and may print it like screen printing.

  In addition, it is also preferable to coat the electrode and the organic layer on the outside of the electrode facing the support substrate with the organic layer interposed therebetween, and form an inorganic or organic layer in contact with the support substrate to form a sealing film. it can. In this case, the material for forming the film may be any material that has a function of suppressing intrusion of elements that cause deterioration of the element such as moisture and oxygen. For example, silicon oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or the like is used. it can. Furthermore, in order to improve the brittleness of the film, it is preferable to have a laminated structure of these inorganic layers and layers made of organic materials. The method for forming these films is not particularly limited. For example, vacuum deposition, sputtering, reactive sputtering, molecular beam epitaxy, cluster-ion beam method, ion plating method, plasma polymerization method, atmospheric pressure plasma A polymerization method, a plasma CVD method, a laser CVD method, a thermal CVD method, a coating method, or the like can be used.

  In the gap between the sealing member and the display area of the organic EL element, an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon, or an inert liquid such as fluorinated hydrocarbon or silicon oil is injected in the gas phase and the liquid phase. Is preferred. A vacuum can also be used. Moreover, a hygroscopic compound can also be enclosed inside.

  Examples of the hygroscopic compound include metal oxides (eg, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, calcium oxide, barium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide), sulfates (eg, sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, cobalt sulfate, etc.). Metal halides (eg, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, cesium fluoride, tantalum fluoride, cerium bromide, magnesium bromide, barium iodide, magnesium iodide, etc.), perchloric acids (eg, barium perchlorate, In particular, anhydrous salts are preferably used in sulfates, metal halides and perchloric acids.

《Protective film, protective plate》
In order to increase the mechanical strength of the element, a protective film or a protective plate may be provided outside the sealing film or the sealing film on the side facing the support substrate with the organic layer interposed therebetween. In particular, when sealing is performed by the sealing film, the mechanical strength is not necessarily high, and thus it is preferable to provide such a protective film and a protective plate. As a material that can be used for this, the same glass plate, polymer plate / film, metal plate / film, etc. used for the sealing can be used. Is preferably used.

《Light extraction》
An organic electroluminescence element emits light inside a layer having a refractive index higher than that of air (refractive index is about 1.7 to 2.1), and only 15% to 20% of the light generated in the light emitting layer. It is generally said that it cannot be taken out. This is because light incident on the interface (interface between the transparent substrate and air) at an angle θ greater than the critical angle causes total reflection and cannot be taken out of the device, or between the transparent electrode or light emitting layer and the transparent substrate. This is because light is totally reflected between the light and the light is guided through the transparent electrode or the light emitting layer, and as a result, the light escapes in the direction of the side surface of the device.

  As a method for improving the light extraction efficiency, for example, a method of forming irregularities on the surface of the transparent substrate to prevent total reflection at the interface between the transparent substrate and the air (US Pat. No. 4,774,435), condensing light to the substrate. A method for improving the efficiency by providing the surface (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-314795), a method for forming a reflecting surface on the side surface of the element (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-220394), an intermediate refractive index between the substrate and the light emitter A method of introducing a flat layer having a refractive index and forming an antireflection film (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-172691), and a method of introducing a flat layer having a lower refractive index than the substrate between the substrate and the light emitting body (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001) -202827), and a method of forming a diffraction grating between any one of the substrate, the transparent electrode layer and the light emitting layer (including between the substrate and the outside) (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-283951).

  In the present invention, these methods can be used in combination with the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention, but a method of introducing a flat layer having a lower refractive index than the substrate between the substrate and the light emitter, or a substrate, A method of forming a diffraction grating between any layers of the transparent electrode layer and the light emitting layer (including between the substrate and the outside) can be suitably used.

  In the present invention, by combining these means, it is possible to obtain an element having higher luminance or durability.

  When a low refractive index medium is formed between the transparent electrode and the transparent substrate with a thickness longer than the wavelength of light, the light extracted from the transparent electrode has a higher extraction efficiency to the outside as the refractive index of the medium is lower. .

  Examples of the low refractive index layer include aerogel, porous silica, magnesium fluoride, and a fluorine-based polymer. Since the refractive index of the transparent substrate is generally about 1.5 to 1.7, the low refractive index layer preferably has a refractive index of about 1.5 or less. Furthermore, it is preferable that it is 1.35 or less.

  The thickness of the low refractive index medium is preferably at least twice the wavelength in the medium. This is because the effect of the low refractive index layer is diminished when the thickness of the low refractive index medium is about the wavelength of light and the electromagnetic wave that has exuded by evanescent enters the substrate.

  The method of introducing a diffraction grating into an interface or any medium that causes total reflection is characterized by a high effect of improving light extraction efficiency. This method is generated from the light emitting layer by utilizing the property that the diffraction grating can change the direction of light to a specific direction different from refraction by so-called Bragg diffraction such as first-order diffraction or second-order diffraction. Of the light, light that cannot go out due to total reflection between layers, etc., is diffracted by introducing a diffraction grating in any layer or medium (in the transparent substrate or transparent electrode) It tries to take out light.

  The introduced diffraction grating desirably has a two-dimensional periodic refractive index. This is because light emitted from the light-emitting layer is randomly generated in all directions, so in a general one-dimensional diffraction grating having a periodic refractive index distribution only in a certain direction, only light traveling in a specific direction is diffracted. The light extraction efficiency does not increase so much. However, by making the refractive index distribution a two-dimensional distribution, light traveling in all directions is diffracted, and light extraction efficiency is increased.

  As described above, the position where the diffraction grating is introduced may be in any of the layers or in the medium (in the transparent substrate or the transparent electrode), but is preferably in the vicinity of the organic light emitting layer where light is generated.

  At this time, the period of the diffraction grating is preferably about 1/2 to 3 times the wavelength of light in the medium.

  The arrangement of the diffraction gratings is preferably two-dimensionally repeated, such as a square lattice, a triangular lattice, or a honeycomb lattice.

<Condenser sheet>
The organic electroluminescence device of the present invention is processed in a microlens array-like structure on the light extraction side of the substrate, or combined with a so-called condensing sheet, for example, in a specific direction, for example, the device light emitting surface. On the other hand, the brightness | luminance in a specific direction can be raised by condensing in a front direction.

  As an example of the microlens array, quadrangular pyramids having a side of 30 μm and an apex angle of 90 degrees are two-dimensionally arranged on the light extraction side of the substrate. One side is preferably 10 μm to 100 μm. If it becomes smaller than this, the effect of diffraction will generate | occur | produce and color, and if too large, thickness will become thick and is not preferable.

  As the condensing sheet, for example, a sheet that is put into practical use in an LED backlight of a liquid crystal display device can be used. As such a sheet, for example, a brightness enhancement film (BEF) manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Limited can be used. As the shape of the prism sheet, for example, a substrate may be formed with a Δ-shaped stripe having an apex angle of 90 degrees and a pitch of 50 μm, or the apex angle is rounded and the pitch is changed randomly. Other shapes may also be used.

  Moreover, in order to control the light emission angle from a light emitting element, you may use together a light diffusing plate and a film with a condensing sheet. For example, a diffusion film (light-up) manufactured by Kimoto Co., Ltd. can be used.

<< Method for producing organic EL element >>
As an example of the method for producing the organic EL device of the present invention, a method for producing an organic EL device comprising an anode / hole injection layer / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / electron transport layer / electron injection layer / cathode will be described.

  First, a thin film made of a desired electrode material, for example, a material for an anode is formed on a suitable substrate by a method such as vapor deposition or sputtering so as to have a film thickness of 1 μm or less, preferably 10 to 200 nm to produce an anode. .

  Next, an organic compound thin film of a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, and a hole blocking layer, which are organic EL element materials, is formed thereon.

  As a method for thinning the organic compound thin film, there are a vapor deposition method and a wet process (spin coating method, casting method, ink jet method, printing method) as described above, but it is easy to obtain a uniform film and a pinhole. In the present invention, film formation by a coating method such as a spin coating method, an ink jet method, or a printing method is particularly preferable.

  In the present invention, in the formation of the light emitting layer, it is preferable to form a film by a coating method using a solution in which the metal complex of the present invention is dissolved or dispersed, and the coating method is particularly preferably an ink jet method.

  Examples of the liquid medium for dissolving or dispersing the metal complex of the present invention include ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone and cyclohexanone, fatty acid esters such as ethyl acetate, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichlorobenzene, and organic solvents such as DMF and DMSO. Can be used. Moreover, as a dispersion method, it can disperse | distribute by dispersion methods, such as an ultrasonic wave, high shear force dispersion | distribution, and media dispersion | distribution.

  After forming these layers, a thin film made of a cathode material is formed thereon by a method such as vapor deposition or sputtering so as to have a film thickness of 1 μm or less, preferably in the range of 50 nm to 200 nm, and a cathode is provided. Thus, a desired organic EL element can be obtained.

  In addition, it is also possible to reverse the production order and produce the cathode, the electron injection layer, the electron transport layer, the light emitting layer, the hole transport layer, the hole injection layer, and the anode in this order. When a DC voltage is applied to the multicolor display device thus obtained, light emission can be observed by applying a voltage of about 2 to 40 V with the positive polarity of the anode and the negative polarity of the cathode. An alternating voltage may be applied. The alternating current waveform to be applied may be arbitrary.

<Application>
The organic electroluminescence element of the present invention can be used as a display device, a display, or various light sources. Examples of light sources include home lighting, interior lighting, clock and liquid crystal backlights, billboard advertisements, traffic lights, light sources for optical storage media, light sources for electrophotographic copying machines, light sources for optical communication processors, and light sources for optical sensors. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but it can be effectively used particularly as a backlight of a liquid crystal display device and a light source for illumination.

  In the organic electroluminescence element according to the present invention, patterning may be performed by a metal mask, an ink jet printing method, or the like at the time of film formation, if necessary. When patterning, only the electrode may be patterned, the electrode and the light emitting layer may be patterned, or the entire element layer may be patterned.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention, the embodiment of this invention is not limited to these.

Example 1
<Preparation of organic EL elements 1-1 to 48>
Transparent support provided with this ITO transparent electrode after patterning on a substrate (NH45 manufactured by NH Techno Glass) made of ITO (indium tin oxide) with a thickness of 100 nm on a glass substrate of 100 mm × 100 mm × 1.1 mm as an anode The substrate was ultrasonically cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, dried with dry nitrogen gas, and subjected to UV ozone cleaning for 5 minutes. This transparent support substrate was fixed to a substrate holder of a commercially available vacuum deposition apparatus, while 200 mg of α-NPD was put in a molybdenum resistance heating boat, and 200 mg of H-22 as a host compound was put in another molybdenum resistance heating boat, 200 mg of bathocuproin (BCP) is put in another resistance heating boat made of molybdenum, 100 mg of Exemplified Compound 1 is put in another resistance heating boat made of molybdenum, and 200 mg of Alq ₃ is put in another resistance heating boat made of molybdenum. Installed.

Next, after the pressure in the vacuum chamber was reduced to 4 × 10 ⁻⁴ Pa, the heating boat containing α-NPD was energized and heated, and deposited on the transparent support substrate at a deposition rate of 0.1 nm / sec. The hole transport layer was provided. Further, the heating boat containing H-22 and Exemplified Compound 1 was energized and heated, and co-deposited on the hole transport layer at a deposition rate of 0.2 nm / sec and 0.012 nm / sec, respectively. A light emitting layer having a thickness of 40 nm was provided. In addition, the substrate temperature at the time of vapor deposition was room temperature. In addition, an electron transport layer that also serves as a hole blocking function with a film thickness of 10 nm is provided by energizing and heating the heating boat containing BCP and depositing on the light emitting layer at a deposition rate of 0.1 nm / sec. It was. Furthermore, the heating boat containing Alq ₃ was further energized and heated, and was deposited on the electron transport layer at a deposition rate of 0.1 nm / sec to provide an electron injection layer having a thickness of 40 nm. . In addition, the substrate temperature at the time of vapor deposition was room temperature.

  Then, 0.5 nm of lithium fluoride and 110 nm of aluminum were vapor-deposited, the cathode was formed, and the organic EL element 1-1 was produced.

  In the production of the organic EL element 1-1, 1-2 was performed in the same manner as the organic EL element 1-1 except that the compound shown in Table 22 was used instead of the exemplified compound 1 used as the guest compound of the light emitting layer to obtain a guest compound. ˜1-48 was produced. The structure of the compound used above is shown below.

<< Evaluation of organic EL elements >>
When evaluating the obtained organic EL elements 1-1 to 1-48, the non-light emitting surface of each organic EL element after production was covered with a glass case, and a glass substrate having a thickness of 300 μm was used as a sealing substrate. An epoxy-based photo-curing adhesive (Lux Track LC0629B manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.) is applied as a sealing material in the periphery, and this is placed on the cathode to be in close contact with the transparent support substrate and irradiated with UV light from the glass substrate side. Then, it was cured and sealed, and an illumination device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 was formed and evaluated.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a lighting device, in which an organic EL element 101 is covered with a glass cover 102 (in addition, sealing with a glass cover is performed in a nitrogen atmosphere without bringing the organic EL element 101 into contact with the atmosphere. (In a high purity nitrogen gas atmosphere with a purity of 99.999% or more). FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the lighting device. In FIG. 2, 105 denotes a cathode, 106 denotes an organic EL layer, and 107 denotes a glass substrate with a transparent electrode. The glass cover 102 is filled with nitrogen gas 108 and a water catching agent 109 is provided.

(External quantum efficiency)
By lighting the organic EL element under a constant current condition of room temperature (about 23 to 25 ° C.) and ^2.5 mA / cm ² , and measuring the emission luminance (L) [cd / m ² ] immediately after the start of lighting, The external extraction quantum efficiency (η) was calculated. Here, CS-1000 (manufactured by Konica Minolta Sensing) was used for measurement of light emission luminance. The external extraction quantum efficiency was expressed as a relative value where the organic EL element 1-47 (Comparative 1) was 100.

(Luminescent life)
At room temperature the organic EL device, the continuous lighting by constant current condition of 2.5 mA / cm ^2, to measure the time taken to become half of the initial luminance (τ _1/2). The light emission lifetime was expressed as a relative value where the organic EL element 1-47 (Comparative 1) was set to 100.

  The obtained results are shown in Table 22.

  From Table 22, the organic EL element produced using the metal complex according to the present invention achieved higher luminous efficiency and longer lifetime compared to the organic EL elements 1-47 and 48 using Comparative 1 and 2. Obviously you can.

Example 2
In the organic EL device 1-1 of the present invention produced in Example 1, the same as the organic EL device 1-1 except that H-22 used as the host compound in the light emitting layer was replaced with H-17 to form a host compound. 2-1 was produced by the method.

  In the production of the organic EL element 2-1, 2-2 was prepared in the same manner as the organic EL element 2-1, except that the compound shown in Table 23 was used instead of the exemplified compound 1 used as the guest compound of the light emitting layer to obtain a guest compound. ˜2-39 was produced. The structure of the compound used above is shown below.

<< Evaluation of organic EL elements >>
When evaluating the obtained organic EL elements 2-1 to 2-39, the non-light-emitting surface of each organic EL element after production was covered with a glass case, and a glass substrate having a thickness of 300 μm was used as a sealing substrate. An epoxy-based photo-curing adhesive (Lux Track LC0629B manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.) is applied as a sealing material in the periphery, and this is placed on the cathode to be in close contact with the transparent support substrate and irradiated with UV light from the glass substrate side. Then, it was cured and sealed, and an illumination device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 was formed and evaluated.

  External extraction quantum efficiency and light emission lifetime were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The external extraction quantum efficiency and the light emission lifetime are expressed as relative values with the organic EL element 2-38 (Comparative 1) as 100. The results obtained are shown in Table 23.

  From Table 23, it is clear that the organic EL device produced using the metal complex according to the present invention can achieve higher luminous efficiency and longer lifetime than the organic EL device of the comparative example.

Example 3
The electrode of the transparent electrode substrate of Example 1 was patterned to 20 mm × 20 mm, and α-NPD was formed as a hole injection / transport layer with a thickness of 50 nm thereon as in Example 1, and further H-22 The heating boat containing the compound, the boat containing the compound 1 and the boat containing the btp ₂ Ir (acac) are energized independently, and the compound H-22 as the light emitting host and the compound 1 and btp ₂ Ir as the light emitting dopant are supplied. The vapor deposition rate of (acac) was adjusted to 100: 5: 0.6, and the light emitting layer was provided by vapor deposition to a thickness of 30 nm.

Next, BCP was deposited to a thickness of 10 nm to provide an electron transport layer. Further, Alq ₃ was formed at 40 nm to provide an electron injection layer.

  Next, the vacuum chamber is opened, and a square perforated mask having the same shape as the stainless steel transparent electrode is placed on the electron injection layer, and 0.5 nm of lithium fluoride is deposited as a cathode buffer layer and 110 nm of aluminum is deposited as a cathode. A film was formed.

  This element was sealed using a sealing can having the same method and the same structure as in Example 1 to produce a flat lamp.

  When this flat lamp was energized, almost white light was obtained, and it was found that it could be used as a lighting device. It has been found that even when the light emitting host is replaced with another compound of the present invention, white light emission can be obtained.

It is the schematic of an illuminating device. It is sectional drawing of an illuminating device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Organic EL element 102 Glass cover 107 Glass substrate with a transparent electrode 106 Organic EL layer 105 Cathode 108 Nitrogen gas 109 Water catching agent

Claims (8)

In an organic electroluminescence device containing at least a light emitting layer sandwiched between an anode and a cathode,
The said light emitting layer contains at least 1 of the compound represented by following General formula (1), The organic electroluminescent element characterized by the above-mentioned.
(In the formula, Ra represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group or a heterocyclic group, Rb and Rc represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, X represents a nitrogen atom, and A1 and B2 form a benzene ring . B1 represents a residue necessary for forming a pyrazole ring , L represents a simple bond , M represents Ir or Pt, n represents 1 or 2, m represents 1 or 2, m + n is Ru 2 or 3 der.) The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1, wherein the compound represented by the general formula (1) is a compound represented by the following general formula (3) .
(In the formula, Ra represents an alkyl group, a phenyl group or a pyridyl group, Rb and Rc represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or a phenyl group, Rh, Ri and Rj represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and A1 , B2, M, n, m and m + n have the same meanings as A1, B2, M, n, m and m + n in the general formula (1), respectively. M of the compound represented by the said General formula (1) or General formula (3) is Ir, The organic electroluminescent element of Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The organic electroluminescence element according to claim 1 , which emits blue light. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1 , which emits white light. A display device comprising the organic electroluminescence element according to claim 1 . An illuminating device comprising the organic electroluminescence element according to claim 1 . 8. A display device comprising: the lighting device according to claim 7; and a liquid crystal element as display means.