There are provided compounds of Ir(III) having .beta.-diketimine ligands including the complexes having Formula I: ##STR00001## L is the same or different at each occurrence and is a cyclometalating bidentate monoanionic ligand coordinated through a nitrogen atom and a carbon atom. R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 can be the same or different and are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl and heterocyclic groups. R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 can be the same or different and are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, trialkylsilyl, triarylsilyl, and heterocyclic groups. R.sup.2 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, heterocyclic groups, or fluorine. Adjacent R groups can join together to form 5- or 6-membered rings. R.sup.8 is H, F, or alkyl. There are also provided electronic devices containing such compounds.