Hybrid Local and Charge Transfer Emitters Utilizing Hyperconjugation Effect Towards Solution-Processed Ultra-Deep-Blue OLEDs with External Quantum Efficiency Approaching 12

Hybrid local and charge transfer (HLCT) excited state materials, which possess weak donor-acceptor (D-A) pure organic structures, deserve one of the most promising efficient and stable blue emitters. Through high-lying reverse intersystem crossing (hRISC) process, 75 % triplet excitons generated by electrical excitation could be harvested and utilized in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). However, there are still significant challenges to achieve high-efficiency ultra-deep-blue HLCT emitters with low Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) 1931 chromaticity coordinate y values. Here, a series of novel blue HLCT emitters based on spiro[1,8-diazafluorene-9,2'-imidazole] structure were designed and synthesized by fine-tuning the spiro[fluorene-9,2'-imidazole] core structure in our previous work through heteroatom substitution and hyperconjugation effect. The target emitters were endowed with excellent photophysical and electrochemical merits, thermal stability and solution processibility. The solution-processed OLED based on 4',5'-bis(4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenyl)spiro[1,8-diazafluorene-9,2'-imidazole] (NFIP-CZ) achieved efficient ultra-deep-blue emission (CIEx,y=0.1581, 0.0422) with the maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax), maximum current efficiency (CEmax) and maximum power efficiency (PEmax) of 11.94 %, 4.07 cd ⋅ A-1 and 2.56 lm ⋅ W-1. The record EQE is a breakthrough in both solution-processed and vacuum vapor deposition ultra-deep-blue HLCT OLEDs currently.

A Breakthrough in Solution-Processed Ultra-Deep-Blue HLCT OLEDs: A Record External Quantum Efficiency Exceeding 10% Based on Novel V-Shaped Emitters

It is always a great challenge to achieve high-efficiency solution-processed ultra-deep-blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) 1931 chromaticity coordinates matching the blue primary of Rec. International Telecommunication Union-Radiocommunication BT.2100, which specifies high dynamic range television image parameters. Inspired by hybrid local and charge transfer (HLCT) excited state emitters improving exciton utilization through high-lying reverse intersystem crossing, here, a series of high-performance blue emitters by a V-shaped symmetric donor (D)-π-acceptor (A)-π-D design strategy are developed. Here, the large torsions and unstable bonds of D-A structures can be improved through π bridges, and also the conjugation length and donor groups can be easily adjusted. The obtained emitters merit excellent photophysical and electrochemical properties, thermal stability, solution processibility, and HLCT excited state excellence. Results suggest that the OLEDs based on the obtained blue emitters all achieve high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax ) of more than 8% with very low efficiency roll-off. In particular, the device based on 4',5'-bis(4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenyl)spiro[fluorene-9,2'-imidazole] exhibits a satisfactory ultra-deep-blue emission (CIEx , y = 0.1579, 0.0387) and a record-high EQEmax (10.40%) among solution-processed HLCT OLEDs, which is very close to the record EQEmax of devices by vacuum vapor deposition technology.

An iodine/DMSO-catalyzed sequential one-pot approach to 2,4,5-trisubstituted-1H-imidazoles from α-methylene ketones

A sequential one-pot approach to 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles has been developed from α-methylene ketones and aldehydes. This methodology employs air-moisture stable reaction conditions and an inexpensive iodine/DMSO system affording a diverse range of known and novel (substrate scope) 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles in moderate to excellent yields. The iodine/DMSO system was extended to the domino convergent synthesis of two functionalized intermediates, benzil and benzaldehyde, to produce the final product.

Ionic Liquid Solvation versus Catalysis: Computational Insight from a Multisubstituted Imidazole Synthesis in [Et2NH2][HSO4]

The mechanisms of a tetrasubstituted imidazole [2‐(2,4,5‐triphenyl‐1 H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)ethan‐1‐ol] synthesis from benzil, benzaldehyde, ammonium acetate, and ethanolamine in [Et₂NH₂][HSO₄] ionic liquid (IL) are studied computationally. The effects of the presence of the cationic and anionic components of the IL on transition states and intermediate structures, acting as a solvent versus as a catalyst, are determined. In IL‐free medium, carbonyl hydroxylation when using a nucleophile (ammonia) proceeds with a Gibbs free energy (ΔG^≠) barrier of 49.4 kcal mol⁻¹. Cationic and anionic hydrogen‐bond solute–solvent interactions with the IL decrease the barrier to 35.8 kcal mol⁻¹. [Et₂NH₂][HSO₄] incorporation in the reaction changes the nature of the transition states and decreases the energy barriers dramatically, creating a catalytic effect. For example, carbonyl hydroxylation proceeds via two transition states, first proton donation to the carbonyl (ΔG^≠=9.2 kcal mol⁻¹) from [Et₂NH₂]⁺, and then deprotonation of ammonia (ΔG^≠=14.3) via Et₂NH. Likewise, incorporation of the anion component [HSO₄]⁻ of the IL gives comparable activation energies along the same reaction route and the lowest transition state for the product formation step. We propose a dual catalytic IL effect for the mechanism of imidazole formation. The computations demonstrate a clear distinction between IL solvent effects on the reaction and IL catalysis.

Isocyanurate-based periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO-ICS): a highly efficient and recoverable nanocatalyst for the one-pot synthesis of substituted imidazoles and benzimidazoles

Isocyanurate bridging periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO-ICS) was shown to be a highly active and efficient recyclable nanocatalyst for three-component synthesis of trisubstituted imidazole as well as benzimidazole derivatives in EtOH.