Electronic devices made with metal Schiff base complexes

1. An organic electronic device comprising a cathode, a layer comprising a photoactive material positioned therebetween and a metal Schiff base complex, wherein the metal Schiff base complex is present as a host for the photoactive material or in a layer between a cathode and the photoactive material containing layer or in both layers,

wherein the metal Schiff base complex has Formula I(a)

M(SB)L 1   Formula I(a)

wherein

M is a metal in a +3 oxidation state;

L 1 is a ligand having the formula Ar—O, where Ar is selected from an aromatic group and a heteroaromatic group;

SB is a Schiff base ligand having Structure I:

wherein:

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 are the same or different and are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, or adjacent R groups can join together to form 5- or 6-membered rings; and

Z is selected from 4-methoxy-1,2-phenylene; 4,5-dimethyl-1,2-phenylene; o-binaphthalene-diyl; 3-aza-1,5-pentylene; 2-p-t-butylbenzyl-1,3propylene; and —CH 2 CH 2 NHCH 2 CH 2 —.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein Ar is selected from phenyl, biphenyl, and naphthyl.