A new iridium(III) complex showing intramolecular interligand π-stacking has been synthesized and used to improve the stability of single-component, solid-state light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) devices. The π-stacking results in the formation of a very stable supramolecularly caged complex. LECs using this complex show extraordinary stabilities (estimated lifetime of 600 h) and luminance values (average luminance of 230 cd m−2) indicating the path toward stable ionic complexes for use in LECs reaching stabilities required for practical applications.
