A group of new boron complexes [BPh2{κ2N,N’-NC4H3-2-C(H)vN-C6H4X}] (X = 4-Cl 4c, 4-Br 4d, 4-I 4e, 3-Br 4f, 2-Br 4g, 2-I 4h) containing different halogens as substituents in the N-aryl ring have been syn- thesized and characterized in terms of their molecular properties. Their photophysical characteristics have been thoroughly studied in order to understand whether these complexes exhibit an internal heavy- atom effect. Phosphorescence emission was found for some of the synthesized halogen-substituted boron molecules, particularly for 4g and 4h. DFT and TDDFT calculations showed that the lower energy absorption band resulted from the HOMO to LUMO (π–π*) transition, except for 2-I 4h, where the HOMO−1 to LUMO transition was also involved. The strong participation of iodine orbitals in HOMO−1 is reflected in the calculated absorption spectra of the iodine derivatives, especially 2-I 4h, when spin–orbit coupling (SOC) was included. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on these complexes, in the neat form or dispersed in a matrix, were also fabricated and tested. The devices based on films prepared by thermal vacuum deposition showed the best performance. When neat complexes were used, a maximum luminance (Lmax) of 1812 cd m−2 was obtained, with a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 0.15%. An EQEmax of ca. 1% along with a maximum luminance of 494 cd m−2 were obtained for a device fabricated by co-deposition of the boron complex and a host compound (1,3-bis(N-carbazo- lyl)benzene, mCP).