Novel red phosphorescent compound (IR-PIQC-1), iridium complex with two phenyl-isoquinoline ligands and one 2-acetyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione ligand was designed and synthesized. The electroluminescent (EC) characteristics of IR-PIQC-1 in the EL device were evaluated. The thin layers of EL devices were fabricated by the vacuum deposition method, and the layer-structures of the devices were ITO/NPD/IR-PIQC-1 or IR-BTPAC (10%) in CBP/Balq/Alq/LiF/Al. Brightness of the IR-PIQC-1 device was 574 cd/m(2) at 11 mA/cm(2), and the external quantum efficiency was estimated as 5.28% at the same current density. The EL spectrum of the IR-PIQC-1 device was detected at about 620 nm as the maximum peak with red phosphorescence. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved