Synthesis, structure, and spectral studies of zinc and cadmium complexes with 2-tosylaminobenzaldehyde and aminoquinoline azomethine derivatives

New zinc and cadmium complexes with 3-[2-( N -tosylaminobenzylidene)]aminoquinoline (HL 1 ) and 6-[2-( N -tosylaminobenzylidene)]aminoquinoline (HL 2 ) were synthesized. The structures of HL 1 , HL 2 and complexes ML 2 (M = Zn, Cd) were established based on the elemental analysis data, IR spectroscopy, 1 H NMR spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations. Electron absorption and photoluminescence spectra of the complexes were studied. OLED devices were developed, where ZnL 2 2 complexes were used as an emission layer. This device emitted yellow light with CIE x = 0.436, y = 0.492 and x = 0.463, y = 0.484, maximum luminance at 10 V was 126 and 150 cd m −2 , respectively.