NOVELTY - A composition capable of providing metal-independent phosphorescence comprises a first portion containing a carbonyl group bonded to an aromatic group or an aromatic group having extended pi -conjugation; a second portion containing a halogen atom bonded to an aromatic group or an aromatic group having extended pi -conjugation; and a non-covalent interaction between the oxygen of the carbonyl group and the halogen atom via a directed heavy atom effect.    USE - In the article of manufacture selected from light emitting diode, organic photovoltaic material, flexible lighting display, solid-state lighting, polarized light emitting device, quantum dot, thin-film transistor, and phosphorescent nanowire (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The composition exhibits a quantum yield of 1-68%; provides metal-independent phosphorescence; enhances the usefulness of organic compounds in a wide variety of applications; increases organic light emitting diode efficiencies three-to-four fold; enhances organic photovoltaic; and provides unique sensitivity for chemical and cancer detection.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A composition capable of providing metal-independent phosphorescence comprises a first portion containing a carbonyl group bonded to an aromatic group or an aromatic group having extended pi -conjugation; a second portion containing a halogen atom bonded to an aromatic group or an aromatic group having extended pi -conjugation; and a non-covalent interaction between the oxygen of the carbonyl group and the halogen atom via a directed heavy atom effect, where the distance between the oxygen of the carbonyl group and the halogen atom is less than the vander Waals radii of the oxygen of the carbonyl group and the halogen atom. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for providing phosphorescence involving providing the composition; and exciting the composition with a first light while maintaining the distance between the oxygen of the carbonyl group and the halogen atom at less than the vander Waals radii of the oxygen of the carbonyl group and the halogen atom so that the composition absorbs at least a portion of the first light and emits a second light.