Two iridium complexes with chiral pinene sterically hindered substituents are applied in organic light-emitting diodes. Highly efficient devices show a maximum luminance of 135 676 cd m−2, a maximum current efficiency of 103.50 cd A−1, a maximum external quantum efficiency of 28.0%, and a maximum power efficiency of 88.29 lm W−1 with a slight efficiency roll-off. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.