The complex, a yellow-green solid, is a derivative of Ir3+ bound to three monoanionic 2-pyridinylphenyl ligands.

It is electroluminescent, emitting green light.

The complex is observed with the facial stereochemistry, which is chiral.

The complex is prepared by cyclometalation reactions of 2-phenylpyridine and iridium trichloride, as represented by this idealized equation:[1][2] The complex and many analogues have been investigated for application in photoredox catalysis.

Its excited state has a reduction potential of −2.14 V, nearly 1 V more negative than the reduction potential of excited [Ru(bipy)3]2+.