Two cyclometalated iridium(III) complex, (pq)2Ir(sa) and (pq)2Ir(psa), were synthesized and characterized.
(pq)2Ir(sa) and (pq)2Ir(psa) show good solubility in water, lower oxidation potential and higher ECL efficiency.
Small amount of water can greatly increase the ECL intensity of two complexes in acetonitrile solvent.
The water-enhanced ECL pathway in the presence of TPA is proposed as a double coreactant ECL pathway.