NOVELTY - A iridium(III)cyclometallated alkynyl complex (I), is new.    USE - In an organic light emitting device (claimed); as triplet emitting dopants in organic light emitting diodes, contrast agent, oxygen sensing and related applications; and in an optoelectronic devices such as organic solar cells and organic photodetectors. The device includes flat panel display, computer monitor, television, billboard, lights for interior or exterior illumination and/or signaling, heads up displays, fully transparent displays, flexible displays, laser printers, telephones, cell phones, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, digital cameras, camcorders, viewfinders, micro-displays, vehicles, a large area wall, theater or stadium screen, or a sign.    ADVANTAGE - The triplet energy of the acetylide ligands and the cyclometallated ligands, allows the tuning of the emission of the iridium(III)cyclometallated alkynyl complexes such as that if the triplet energy of the acetylides is lower than the cyclometallating ligands, the emission may be driven by the former group.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A iridium(III)cyclometallated alkynyl complex of formula (I), is new.    X1 and X2=C or N;    Z'=an acetylide ligand having the structure: -C=C-R1, -C=C-(C=C)x-R1, or -C=C-(A'-C=C)y-R1;    R1=H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, (hetero)aryl, Si(R2)3, M'(L')z, or heterocyclic group (all optionally substituted);    x and y=0-5;    R2=H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, (hetero)aryl, or heterocyclic group;    M'=a metal atom;    L'=mono-, bi- or tri-dentate ligand;    z=0-5;    A'=(hetero)aryl;    Y'=a monodentate ancillary ligand;    a=1-4;    b=0-3;    n=1 or 2;    a+b+n=4 or 5;    Cat=an optional cation the charge of which provides a net neutral charge for formula (I).    X1 and X2 together with the atom to which they are attached represents an optionally substituted bidentate cyclometallated aromatic ligand. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for an organic light emitting device comprising an anode, a cathode and an emissive layer between the anode and the cathode, where the emissive layer comprises the compound (I).