Benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-based cruciforms: syntheses, crystal structures, and charge transport properties

SERS study on the aggregation mechanisms resulting from the orientation of dipyridinic derivatives on gold nanoparticles

In this work, was studied the adsorption and orientation of three dipyridinic derivatives 9,10-bis-((E)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl)anthracene (DPAC), 1,4-bis-((E)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl)naphthalene (DPNA-T) and 2,6-bis-((E)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl)naphthalene (DPNA-L) on gold nanoparticles, using Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). Systematic modification in the shapes of the bifunctional systems (Cross-shape, T-shape and Linear-shape) shows changes significant in the preferential orientation of these analytes on the nanostructured gold surface. Additional data from UV-vis measurements and TEM images are in agreement with the Reaction Limited Colloid Aggregation (RLCA) mechanisms for DPAC and DPNA-T and Diffusion Limited Colloid Aggregation (DLCA) mechanisms for DPNA-L, showing that for the same analyte concentration, the aggregation mechanism depends on the molecular shape. These results allow us to rationalize the fundamental aspects involved in the development of devices based on plasmonic resonance with potential applications in the field of molecular electronics.

Stable organic self-assembled microwire lasers for chemical vapor sensing

Organic microlasers hold great potentials in fabricating on-chip sensors for integrated photonic circuits due to their chemical versatility and reactivity. However, chemical vapor detection is still challenging for organic microlaser sensors, as it requires not only optical gain and self-assembly capability, but also rapid response to stimuli and long-term stability under high excitation power. In this work, a new laser dye 4,7-bis(9-octyl-7-(4-(octyloxy)phenyl)-9H-carbazol-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BPCBT) is designed and synthesized, which self-assembles into microwires showing strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) photoluminescence with >80% quantum efficiency. It enables the lasing from BPCBT microwires under a low threshold of 16 μJ·mm^-2·pulse^-1 with significantly improved stability over conventional organic microlasers. The stimulated emission amplifies the fluorescence change in the BPCBT microwires under chemical vapors including various acid, acetone, and ethanol vapors, indicating high sensitivity and high selectivity of organic microlaser sensors desirable for compact sensor arrays in integrated photonics.

Saddle-Shaped Building Blocks: A New Concept for Designing Fully Conjugated 3D Organic Semiconducting Materials

Currently, most organic semiconducting materials (OSMs) are π-conjugated structures in one or two dimension (2D), where the lack of layer-layer π-conjugation connection greatly blocks their electron delocalization and transport. The 3D fully conjugated materials could solve this issue because they can provide efficient charge-transport pathways throughout the whole 3D skeleton, in which the suitable 3D building block is the key to the development of fully conjugated 3D OSMs. Cyclooctatetraene (COT) and its derivatives are good candidates due to their π-conjugation with 3D saddle-shaped architecture. In this Concept, we discuss the key features of saddle-shaped COT-based derivatives and their synthetic strategy, then we present the current development of using the COT derivatives as building blocks to construct the 3D fully conjugated organic small compound- and polymer-based OSMs. The properties and perspectives of these OSMs in photovoltaics, electro-catalysis and electrical conductivities are also discussed. These recent advances in the developing 3D fully conjugated materials could potentially open up a new frontier in the design of OSMs.

Structural variation determined by length-matching effects: towards the formation of flexible porous molecular crystals

The length ratio of the alkyl chain to the spacer will significantly influence the packing motif of gemini molecules.

Regioisomeric donor–acceptor–donor triads based on benzodithiophene and BODIPY with distinct optical properties and mobilities

Two regioisomeric donor–acceptor–donor triads composed of benzodithiophene and BODIPY exhibit distinct optical and charge transfer properties, and mobilities of ∼10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹.

Side-chain manipulation on accepting units of two-dimensional benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene polymers for organic photovoltaics

Two donor–acceptor alternating polymers of bis(octylthio)thienyl BDT and fluorinated BT or 5-dodecylthienyl-6-fluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole were designed for organic photovoltaics.

Dithieno[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine-based chemical probe for anions: a spectroscopic study of binding

The synthesis and binding studies of N,N′-(2,5-bis(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)dithieno[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine-9,10-diyl)bis(4-methylbenzenesulfonamide) (1) are reported.

Directed metalation cascade to access highly functionalized thieno[2,3-f]benzofuran and exploration as building blocks for organic electronics

A tandem directed metalation has been successfully applied to the preparation of thieno[2,3-f]benzofuran-4,8-dione, providing an efficient and facile approach to symmetrically and unsymmetrically functionalize the thieno[2,3-f]benzofuran core at the 2,6 positions as well as to introduce the electron-withdrawing or -donating groups (EWG or EDG) at its 4,8 positions. The presence of various functional groups makes late-stage derivatization attainable.