B quinolinate compds. with different degrees of fluorination {Ph2BQ 1, (4-F-C6H4)2BQ 2 and (C6F5)2BQ 3 (Q is 8-quinolinate)} were prepd. and their electronic and luminescent behavior was studied in a variety of org. light emitting device structures. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed a decrease in ionization potential with the degree of fluorination. Electroluminescence (EL) measurements showed increasingly red shifted exciplex emission, originating from the different B compds. interacting with the hole transporting layer. In layered devices, the B compds. 1-3 are inferior in their EL performance compared to Al tris(8-quinolinoate) (AlQ3). However, when the B compds. 1, 2 or 3 are doped into a 4,4'-bis(carbazol-9-yl)diphenyl (CBP) host, emission solely attributable to 1-3 is obsd. In such devices, the B compds. 1 and 2 outperform AlQ3 as an emitter at low to moderate current densities. [on SciFinder(R)]