Double alkylene-strapped diphenylanthracene as a photostable and intense solid-state blue-emitting material

How to Stabilize Large Soluble (Hetero-)Acenes

The higher acenes and azaacenes (>(aza)heptacenes) are fascinating, yet elusive materials. Their reactivity and sensitivity increases concomitantly with their size. In recent years, confinement techniques, that is isolation of acenes in matrices and on surfaces, has surpassed solution-based chemistry with respect to accessing the larger (hetero)acenes at the price of the accessibility of no more than a couple thousands of molecules. Isolating acenes in bulk quantities and in processable form is vital for applications in organic electronics as well as from a viewpoint from basic research. In this Perspective, we will discuss after a short historical outline their degradation pathways, and then will selectively highlight recent efforts in stabilizing soluble (aza)acenes.

Suppression of Dexter transfer by covalent encapsulation for efficient matrix-free narrowband deep blue hyperfluorescent OLEDs

Hyperfluorescence shows great promise for the next generation of commercially feasible blue organic light-emitting diodes, for which eliminating the Dexter transfer to terminal emitter triplet states is key to efficiency and stability. Current devices rely on high-gap matrices to prevent Dexter transfer, which unfortunately leads to overly complex devices from a fabrication standpoint. Here we introduce a molecular design where ultranarrowband blue emitters are covalently encapsulated by insulating alkylene straps. Organic light-emitting diodes with simple emissive layers consisting of pristine thermally activated delayed fluorescence hosts doped with encapsulated terminal emitters exhibit negligible external quantum efficiency drops compared with non-doped devices, enabling a maximum external quantum efficiency of 21.5%. To explain the high efficiency in the absence of high-gap matrices, we turn to transient absorption spectroscopy. It is directly observed that Dexter transfer from a pristine thermally activated delayed fluorescence sensitizer host can be substantially reduced by an encapsulated terminal emitter, opening the door to highly efficient 'matrix-free' blue hyperfluorescence.

Stabilization of Acenes: "Geländer"-Pentacenes

We report soluble tetrakis-biphenylyl substituted pentacenes comprised of sp2 carbons and synthesized from pentacene-5,7,12,14-tetraone. Intramolecular Yamamoto coupling of two tetrakis(chlorobiphenylyl)pentacenes yields helical, doubly wrapped pentacenes, in which the quaterphenylene units solubilize the pentacenes and shield their central anthracene units to an unprecedented degree. The criss-cross-bridged pentacenes resist (photo)oxidation, Diels-Alder reactions and are much less reactive than TIPS-ethynylated pentacene. Extension of this concept might provide access to the larger acenes.

Doubly Bridged Anthracenes: Blue Emitters for OLEDs

The photooxidative stability of a series of doubly bridged anthracenes was evaluated after their preparation via twofold macrocyclization of a bis(resorcinyl)anthracene. Lightfastness correlates with the energy levels of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), resulting in superior stability of the tetraesters compared to the tetraethers. The lengths and steric demand of the linker only plays a minor role for the ester-based compounds, which can be prepared in reasonable yields and thus tested in proof-of-concept organic light-emitting diodes. Double ester-bridging allows deep blue electro-luminescence, highlighting the importance of the choice of the functional groups used for macrocyclization.

Ultra-Small Air-Stable Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Upconversion Nanoparticles for Anti-Stokes Time-Resolved Imaging

Image contrast is often limited by background autofluorescence in steady-state bioimaging microscopy. Upconversion bioimaging can overcome this by shifting the emission lifetime and wavelength beyond the autofluorescence window. Here we demonstrate the first example of triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) based lifetime imaging microscopy. A new class of ultra-small nanoparticle (NP) probes based on TTA-UC chromophores encapsulated in an organic-inorganic host has been synthesised. The NPs exhibit bright UC emission (400-500 nm) in aerated aqueous media with a UC lifetime of ≈1 μs, excellent colloidal stability and little cytotoxicity. Proof-of-concept demonstration of TTA-UC lifetime imaging using these NPs shows that the long-lived anti-Stokes emission is easily discriminable from typical autofluorescence. Moreover, fluctuations in the UC lifetime can be used to map local oxygen diffusion across the subcellular structure. Our TTA-UC NPs are highly promising stains for lifetime imaging microscopy, affording excellent image contrast and potential for oxygen mapping that is ripe for further exploitation.

Multiresonant TADF materials: triggering the reverse intersystem crossing to alleviate the efficiency roll-off in OLEDs

The hunt for narrow-band emissive pure organic molecules capable of harvesting both singlet and triplet excitons for light emission has garnered enormous attention to promote the advancement of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Over the past decade, organic thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials based on donor (D)/acceptor (A) combinations have been researched for OLEDs in wide color gamut (RGB) regions. However, due to the strong intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) state, they exhibit broad emission with full-width-at-half maximum (FWHM) > 70 nm, which deviates from being detrimental to achieving high color purity for future high-end display electronics such as high-definition TVs and ultra-high-definition TVs (UHDTVs). Recently, the new development in the sub-class of TADF emitters called multi-resonant TADF (MR-TADF) emitters based on boron/nitrogen atoms has attracted much interest in ultra-high definition OLEDs. Consequently, MR-TADF emitters are appeal to their potentiality as promising candidates in fabricating the high-efficient OLEDs due to their numerous advantages such as high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), unprecedented color purity, and narrow bandwidth (FWHM ≤ 40 nm). Until now many MR-TADF materials have been developed for ultra-gamut regions with different design concepts. However, most MR-TADF-OLEDs showed ruthless external quantum efficiency (EQE) roll-off characteristics at high brightness. Such EQE roll-off characteristics were derived mainly from the low reverse intersystem crossing (k_RISC) rate values. This feature article primarily focuses on the design strategies to improve k_RISC for MR-TADF materials with some supportive strategies including extending charge delocalization, heavy atom introduction, multi-donor/acceptor utilization, and a hyperfluorescence system approach. Furthermore, the outlook and prospects for future developments in MR-TADF skeletons are described.

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.

Effects of Molecular Encapsulation on the Photophysical and Charge Transport Properties of a Naphthalene Diimide Bithiophene Copolymer

Engineering the molecular structure of conjugated polymers is key to advancing the field of organic electronics. In this work, we synthesized a molecularly encapsulated version of the naphthalene diimide bithiophene copolymer PNDIT2, which is among the most popular high charge mobility organic semiconductors in n-type field-effect transistors and non-fullerene acceptors in organic photovoltaic blends. The encapsulating macrocycles shield the bithiophene units while leaving the naphthalene diimide units available for intermolecular interactions. With respect to PNDIT2, the encapsulated counterpart displays an increased backbone planarity. Molecular encapsulation prevents preaggregation of the polymer chains in common organic solvents, while it permits π-stacking in the solid state and promotes thin film crystallinity through an intermolecular-lock mechanism. Consequently, n-type semiconducting behavior is retained in field-effect transistors, although charge mobility is lower than in PNDIT2 due to the absence of the fibrillar microstructure that originates from preaggregation in solution. Hence, molecularly encapsulating conjugated polymers represent a promising chemical strategy to tune the molecular interaction in solution and the backbone conformation and to consequently control the nanomorphology of casted films without altering the electronic structure of the core polymer.

Emergence of practical fluorescence in a confined space of nanoporous silica: significantly enhanced quantum yields of a conjugated molecule

The fluorescence of benzanthrone, which is a conjugated molecule bearing a carbonyl group, is activated by confinement in a pore with a diameter close to the molecular size. An intense emission originating from the aromatic character π-π* transition is achieved through suppression of the nonradiative n-π* transition by strong hydrogen bonding between carbonyl groups and silanol groups with a micropore-filling effect in the nanospace.

Kinetic Stabilization of Blue-Emissive Anthracenes: Phenylene Bridging Works Best

In attempts at kinetically stabilizing blue‐emissive anthracenes, a series of 9,10‐diaryl substituted derivatives were tested for their photochemical and photooxidative persistence. A major breakthrough in light fastness comes from a new bis‐meta‐terphenylyl substituted anthracene which is much superior to industrially relevant 9,10‐biarylated anthracenes. The key issue is the steric shielding of the anthracene core. Further, intramolecular ring closure via Yamamoto coupling furnished a doubly bridged anthracene as a “self‐encapsulated” sky‐blue emitter which is most resistant to photodegradation. The improved stabilization was corroborated by time‐resolved irradiation experiments and rationalized by X‐ray crystallography.

(Aza)Pentacenes Clipped into a Ring: Stabilization of Large (Aza)Acenes

A doubly alkylene bridged 6,13‐diphenylpentacene and analogously bridged azapentacenes were prepared; they are persistent. The doubly bridged azapentacenes display superior photochemical, oxidative and thermal stabilities compared to azapentacenes protected by bis(TIPS‐ethynyl)‐substituents—clipping an azaacene into a large ring is a viable complement in stabilization.

Synthesis and Properties of a Cyclohexa-2,7-anthrylene Ethynylene Derivative

The synthesis of a cyclohexa-2,7-(4,5-diaryl)anthrylene ethynylene (1) was achieved for the first time by using 1,8-diaryl-3,6-diborylanthracene and 1,8-diaryl-3,6-diiodoanthracene as key synthetic intermediates. Macrocycle 1 possesses a planar conformation of approximately D_6h symmetry, because of the triple-bond linker between the anthracene units at the 2,7-positions. It was confirmed that macrocycle 1, bearing bulky substituents at the outer peripheral positions, behaves as a monomeric form in solution without π-stacking self-association. Macrocycle 1 has an inner-cavity size that allows specific inclusion of [9]cycloparaphenylene ([9]CPP), but not [8]CPP or [10]CPP, through an aromatic edge-to-face CH-π interaction.

Suppressing aggregation induced quenching in anthracene based conjugated polymers

We demonstrate an anthracene based conjugated polymer with a solid state PLQY that is effectively unchanged compared to solution measurements, alongside an identical PL 0–0 transition wavelength in solution and thin film.

Viologen Derivatives Extended with Aromatic Rings Acting as Negative Electrode Materials for Use in Rechargeable Molecular Ion Batteries

Many types of batteries have been proposed as next-generation energy-storage systems. One candidate is a rocking-chair-type "molecular ion battery" in which a molecular ion, instead of Li⁺ , works as a charge carrier. Previously, we reported a viologen-type derivative as a negative electrode material that releases and receives PF₆ ^- anions during the charge-discharge process; however, its redox potential was not satisfactorily low. Further, the two potential plateaus of this material (difference=0.5 V) should be reduced. In this study, PF₆ ^- salts of viologen (bipyridinium) derivatives extended by aromatic rings were synthesized to obtain a negative electrode material with a lower redox potential and small potential change during the charge and discharge processes. Some of the synthesized viologen derivatives were fluorescent even in solid-state electrodes. In the half-cell configuration, the prepared negative electrode materials showed average voltages of approximately 2 V (vs. Li⁺ /Li), which is lower than that of conventional viologen derivatives.

Synthesis of Enantiopure C2-Symmetric Anthracenophane and Dimerization En Route to Multiple-Bridged Cyclophanes

We report the stereocontrolled synthesis of enantiopure C₂-symmetric anthracenophanes and their derivatization to D₂-symmetric multiple-bridged cyclophanes via photoinduced [4 + 4] dimerization.

Triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion through triplet energy transfer at a nanoporous solid-liquid interface

We report the triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion (UC) through triplet energy transfer (TET) from a sensitiser fixed on a solid surface to free emitters dissolved in solution. A carboxylic-acid derivative of Pt-porphyrin was used as the sensitiser fixed on an amino-treated surface of continuous nanoporous glass without aggregation. UC emission was observed under photoexcitation of 532 nm for porphyrin-fixed glass immersed in an emitter solution of 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA), showing that TET occurs through the solid-liquid interface. The dynamics of TET was analysed through both phosphorescence decay of the sensitiser and UC emission rise from the emitter. Two TET components with different rate constants were found, slower than diffusion-controlled reactions in solution by 1-2 orders of magnitude. Nevertheless, the solid surface TET rates were fast enough to obtain a high quantum yield over the solid-liquid interface. By melting DPA and soaking it into sensitiser-fixed porous glass, we fabricated an all-solid system enabling TTA-UC through the bulk interface.

Triplet fusion upconversion using sterically protected 9,10-diphenylanthracene as the emitter

Improving the efficiency of triplet fusion upconversion (TF-UC) in the solid-state is still challenging due to the aggregation and phase separation of chromophores. In this work, two 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) derivatives based on the modification of the 9,10-phenyl rings with bulky isopropyl groups (bDPA-1 and bDPA-2) were used as emitters. By using platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) as the sensitizer, TF-UC performance was comprehensively investigated in 3 media: toluene solution, polyurethane thin film and nano/micro-crystals in a polyvinyl alcohol matrix. Only a small difference in upconversion efficiency between the bulky DPAs and the DPA reference was observed in toluene solution and polyurethane thin film. However, a large improvement of TF-UC quantum yield was achieved in bDPA-2/PtOEP crystals (ΦUC = (0.92 ± 0.05)%) with a low excitation intensity threshold (52 mW cm-2) compared to that of DPA/PtOEP crystals (ΦUC = (0.09 ± 0.03)%). This difference was largely attributed to improved dispersibility of the PtOEP sensitizer in the bDPA-2 emitter crystals. The bulky DPAs also show excellent stability under UV irradiation with exposure to oxygen compared to DPA. These results provide a strategy for developing efficient solid-state TF-UC systems based on nano/micro-particles of emitter-sensitizer mixtures.

Doubly Encapsulated Perylene Diimides: Effect of Molecular Encapsulation on Photophysical Properties

Intermolecular interactions play a fundamental role on the performance of conjugated materials in organic electronic devices, as they heavily influence their optoelectronic properties. Synthetic control over the solid state properties of organic optoelectronic materials is crucial to access real life applications. Perylene diimides (PDIs) are one of the most highly studied classes of organic fluorescent dyes. In the solid state, π-π stacking suppresses their emission, limiting their use in a variety of applications. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel PDI dye that is encapsulated by four alkylene straps. X-ray crystallography indicates that intermolecular π-π stacking is completely suppressed in the crystalline state. This is further validated by the photophysical properties of the dye in both solution and solid state and supported by theoretical calculations. However, we find that the introduction of the encapsulating "arms" results in the creation of charge-transfer states which modify the excited state properties. This article demonstrates that molecular encapsulation can be used as a powerful tool to tune intermolecular interactions and thereby gain an extra level of control over the solid state properties of organic optoelectronic materials.

In Situ Electrochemical Synthesis of Novel Lithium-Rich Organic Cathodes for All-Organic Li-Ion Full Batteries

The lithium-rich organic cathodes are undoubtedly important for fabricating lithium-ion (Li-ion) full batteries. Currently, very few lithium-rich organic cathodes have been reported for their O₂-sensitive characteristics. In this article, we initially propose a new electrochemical method to in situ synthesize a novel lithium-rich organic cathode, namely lithium anthracene-9,10-bis[2-benzene-1,4-bis(olate)] (ABB4OLi, C_T = 256 mA h g^-1), from its phenol precursor of anthracene-9,10-bis(2-benzene-1,4-diol). The addition of anthracene moiety as the linking bridge is to increase the molecular weight and simultaneously enhance the electronic conductivity for the designed organic molecule (ABB4OLi). In Li-ion half cells, ABB4OLi could deliver average specific capacities of 194 mA h g^-1 during 250 cycles (50 mA g^-1) and 100 mA h g^-1 during 400 cycles (2 A g^-1). In the all-organic Li-ion full cells with the working voltage above 1 V, the ABB4OLi electrode could realize the average capacities of 70 mA h g^-1_cathode during 200 cycles (50 mA g^-1). This work has forwarded a significant step for the development of organic Li-ion full batteries.

Solvent-assisted synthesis of a shape-persistent chiral polyaza gigantocycle characterized by a very large internal cavity and extraordinarily high amplitude of the ECD exciton couplet

A giant, chiral square-shaped macrocycle, characterized by a large hydrophobic cavity, has been obtained from readily available and inexpensive substrates.

Synergetic Effects of Triplet-Triplet Annihilation and Directional Triplet Exciton Migration in Organic Crystals for Photon Upconversion

In condensed solids, triplet exciton migration and succeeding triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) are major bottleneck processes for efficient photon upconversion (UC) using sunlight excitation. We theoretically investigated the reaction times of TTA and the triplet-triplet energy transfer (TTET) as the elementary processes of triplet exciton migration in organic crystals of two molecular species: 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) and its double-strapped alkyl  derivative (C7-sDPA) as the models of a recently reported crystalline system of TTA-UC by Kamada et al. The reaction times calculated based on Marcus theory clarified that the dimensionality of TTET and synergetic effects of TTA and TTET are responsible for the high UC quantum yield as well as their triplet lifetimes.

Helically Locked Tethered Twistacenes

Twisting linear acenes out of planarity affects their electronic and optical properties, and induces chirality. However, it is difficult to isolate the effect of twisting from the substituent effect. Moreover, many twistacenes (twisted acenes) readily racemize in solution. Here, we introduce a series of twistacenes having an anthracene backbone diagonally tethered by an n-alkyl bridge, which induces a twist of various angles. This allows us to systematically monitor the effect of twisting on electronic and optical properties. We find that absorption is bathochromically shifted with increasing twist, while fluorescence quantum efficiency drops dramatically. The tethered twistacenes were isolated to their enantiomerically pure form, displaying strong chiroptical properties and anisotropy factor ( g-value). No racemization was observed even upon prolonged heating, rendering these tethered twistacenes suitable as enantiopure helical building units for π-conjugated backbones.

Expression of fluorescence properties by self-PET (photo-induced electron transfer) suppression both in solution and in the solid state

An-SO3H which is constructed from a PET (photo-induced electron transfer)-based structure expresses fluorescence properties due to the self-PET suppression both in the solution and in the solid-state.

Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Cyclic 2,7-Anthrylene Ethynylene 1,3-Phenylene Ethynylene Trimer with a Planar Conformation

Cyclic arylene ethynylene hexamer 1, composed of alternating 2,7-anthrylene ethynylene units and meta-phenylene ethynylene units, was synthesized. It shows C₃ symmetry and possesses a flat and rigid conformation with a large equilateral triangle-like cavity. Macrocycle 1 self-associates through π-π stacking interactions between the anthracene-containing macrocyclic aromatic cores with indefinite-association constant K_E =6980 m^-1 in CDCl₃ at 303 K. Macrocycle 1 also self-assembles into π-stacked nanofibers in the drop-cast film.

A planarized 9-phenylanthracene: a simple electron-donating building block for fluorescent materials

Planarization of 9-phenylanthracene with two methylene tethers increases its electron-donating character and furnishes intense fluorescence.

Stereochemical modulation of emission behaviour in E/Z isomers of diphenyldipyrroethene from aggregation induced emission to crystallization induced emission

We have successfully separated and characterized E- and Z-isomers of diphenyldipyrroethene molecules and studies show that the E-isomer behaves as AIEgen, whereas the Z-isomer behaves as CIEgen.

Pincer CNC bis-N-heterocyclic carbenes: robust ligands for palladium-catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura arylation of bromoanthracene and related substrates

Novel pincer-type N-heterocyclic carbene ligands have been synthesised and characterised by FAB-MS and single crystal X-ray analysis. The ligands have proved to be highly active towards palladium-catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of bromoanthracene and related substrates.

Synthetic applications of hypophosphite derivatives in reduction

The purpose of this review is to collect the applications in fine synthesis of hypophosphite derivatives as reducing agents.