Second Generation of Cata-Annulated Azaacene Bisimides: Towards Electron Accepting Materials

We present the 2nd generation of cata-annulated azaacene bisimides with increased electron affinities (up to -4.38 eV) compared to their consaguine conventional azaacenes. These compounds were synthesized via Buchwald-Hartwig coupling followed by oxidation with MnO2. Crystal structure engineering through variation of the bisimide substituents furnished crystalline derivatives suitable for proof of concept organic field effect transistors with electron mobilities up to 2.2 x10-4 cm2(Vs)-1. Moreover, we were able to characterize the charge carrying species, the radical anion, using electron paramagnetic resonance and absorption measurements.

N-Acenoacenes: Synthesis and Solid-State Properties

Four N-acenoacenes were synthesized and analyzed for their optoelectronic properties and solid-state packings. Two of the regioisomeric acridinoacridines are TIPS-ethynylated, whereas the other pair are Boc- and triflate substituted derivatives. The two TIPS-ethynyldiazaacenoacenes were processed into organic thin-film transistors with saturation hole mobilities reaching 2.9×10^-2  cm² (Vs)^-1 .

The Radical Anion, Dianion and Electron Transport Properties of Tetraiodotetraazapentacene

Tetraiodotetraazapentacene I₄ TAP, the last missing derivative in the series of halogenated silylated tetraazapentacenes, was synthesized via condensation chemistry from a TIPS-ethynylated diaminobenzothiadiazol in three steps. Single and double reduction furnished its air-stable monoanion and relatively air-stable dianion, both of which were characterized by crystallography. All three species are structurally and spectroscopically compared to non-halogenated TAP and Br₄ TAP. I₄ TAP is an n-channel material in thin-film transistors with average electron mobilities exceeding 1 cm² (Vs)^-1 .

Substituted Cyclopentannulated Tetraazapentacenes

Brominated pentannulated dihydrotetraazapentacenes were prepared by gold- or palladium-catalyzed 5-endo-dig cyclization of TIPS-ethynylated dihydrotetraazaacenes (TIPS = triisopropylsilyl). Post-functionalization was demonstrated by Sonogashira alkynylation and Rosenmund-von Braun cyanation. Calculations predict these species to act as n-type semiconductors, which was verified for two derivates through characterization in organic field-effect transistors.

Diazapentacenes from Quinacridones

Bis(silylethynylated) 5,7‐ and 5,12‐diazapentacenes were synthesized from cis‐ and trans‐quinacridone using protection, alkynylation and deoxygenation. The solid‐state packing of the targets is determined by choice and position of the silylethynyl substituents. The position of the substituents and nitrogen atoms influence the optical properties of the targets.

Chiral Iridium(III) Complexes in Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells: Exploring the Impact of Stereochemistry on the Photophysical Properties and Device Performances

Despite hundreds of cationic bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes having been explored as emitters for light-emitting electrochemical cells (LEECs), uniformly their composition has been in the form of a racemic mixture of Λ and Δ enantiomers. The investigation of LEECs using enantiopure iridium(III) emitters, however, remains unprecedented. Herein, we report the preparation, the crystal structures, and the optoelectronic properties of two families of cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes of the form of [(C^N)₂Ir(dtBubpy)]PF₆ (where dtBubpy is 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine) in both their racemic and enantiopure configurations. LEEC devices using Λ and Δ enantiomers as well as the racemic mixture of both families have been prepared, and the device performances were tested. Importantly, different solid-state photophysical properties exist between enantiopure and racemic emitters, which are also reflected in the device performances.