Novel triphenylene compounds are provided. Specific examples include multi-aryl-substituted triphenylenes. A preferred group of compounds are triphenylenes that are substituted with a non-fused aryl group having one or more meta-substituents, where each meta-substituent is a non-fused aryl group optionally substituted with further substituents selected from the group consisting of non-fused aryl groups and alkyl groups. A further preferred group of compounds are triphenylenes that are substituted with a non-fused heteroaryl group having one or more meta-substituents, where each meta-substituent is a non-fused aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with further substituents selected from the group consisting of non-fused aryl groups, non-fused heteroaryl groups, and alkyl groups. Some high triplet energy analogs are expected to work with deep blue phosphorescent dopants. The compounds may be useful in phosphorescent organic light emitting devices. Also provided is an organic electroluminescent device comprising an anode, a cathode, and an emissive layer between the anode and the cathode, the emissive layer comprising a phosphorescent material and a compound having a repeat unit, the repeat unit containing a triphenylene moiety.