An ionic tris-heteroleptic iridium complex gives green light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) with unprecedented performances for this part of the visible spectrum. The devices are very bright (>1000 cd m(-2)), efficient (similar to 3%), and stable (>55 h). The novel complex is prepared using a new and efficient synthetic procedure. We show that there is a mixed orbital formation originating from the two different orthometalating ligands resulting in photophysical properties that lie between those of its two bis-heteroleptic analogs. Therefore, tris-heteroleptic complexes provide new avenues for fine-tunning the emission properties and to bridge gaps between a series of bis-heteroleptic complexes.