Columnar Mesomorphism of Board-Shaped Perylene, Diketopyrrolopyrrole, Isoindigo, Indigo, and Quinoxalino-Phenanthrophenazine Dyes

The properties of organic dyes depend as much on their intermolecular interactions as on their molecular structure. While it is generally predictable what supramolecular structure would be ideal for a specific application, the generation of specific supramolecular structures by molecular design and suitable processing methods remains to be a challenge. A versatile approach to different supramolecular structures has been the application of mesomorphism in conjunction with alignment techniques and self-assembly at interfaces. Reviewed here is the columnar mesomorphism of board-shaped dyes perylene, indigo, isoindigo, diketopyrrolopyrrole, and quinoxalinophenanthrophenazine. They generate a larger number of different supramolecular structures than conventional disc-shaped (discotic) mesogens because of their non-circular shape and directional intermolecular interactions. The mesomorphism of all but the perylene derivatives is systematically and comprehensively covered for the first time.

Direct (Hetero)Arylation Polymerization of a Spirobifluorene and a Dithienyl-Diketopyrrolopyrrole Derivative: New Donor Polymers for Organic Solar Cells

The synthesis and preliminary evaluation as donor material for organic photovoltaics of the poly(diketopyrrolopyrrole-spirobifluorene) (PDPPSBF) is reported herein. Prepared via homogeneous and heterogeneous direct (hetero)arylation polymerization (DHAP), through the use of different catalytic systems, conjugated polymers with comparable molecular weights were obtained. The polymers exhibited strong optical absorption out to 700 nm as thin-films and had appropriate electronic energy levels for use as a donor with PC70BM. Bulk heterojunction solar cells were fabricated giving power conversion efficiencies above 4%. These results reveal the potential of such polymers prepared in only three steps from affordable and commercially available starting materials.

One-pot synthesis of D–π–D–π–D type hole-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells by sequential C–H (hetero)arylations

D–π–D–π–D oligoaryls are facilely synthesized through consecutive C–H arylations, exhibiting up to 15.4% PCE when fabricated in perovskite solar cells as hole transporters.

Synthesis and characterization of acceptor–donor–acceptor-based low band gap small molecules containing benzoselenadiazole

Acceptor–donor–acceptor-type compounds 5′,5″-(benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole-4,7-diyl)bis(3′-dodecyl-2,2′-bithiophene-5-carbonitrile) (9) and 4,4′-(5,5′-(benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole-4,7-diyl)bis(3-dodecylthiophene-5,2-diyl))dibenzonitrile (10) were designed and synthesized. These compounds differ in terminal positions, compound 9 with a thiophene-containing nitrile group and compound 10 with a phenyl-containing nitrile group. Both compounds have shown good thermal stability and low band gap. The band gaps of compounds 9 and 10 were 1.74 and 1.83 eV, respectively. These results indicate that they are promising materials for use in optoelectronics.

Structure–properties relationship in diketopyrrolopyrrole based small molecules using functional terminal side chains via direct arylation: a joint experimental and theoretical study

The role of terminal side chains in diketopyrrolopyrrole based small molecules has been analyzed, demonstrating how their optoelectronic properties vary.

Understanding the morphology of solution processed fullerene-free small molecule bulk heterojunction blends

The impact of processing conditions on the morphological characteristics of bulk-heterojunction molecular blends prepared from small molecules based on diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) and perylene-diimide (PDI) chromophores have been investigated.

Facile synthesis of arylthiophenyl-functionalized diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives via direct C–H arylation: characterization and utilization in organic electronic devices

We report the synthesis and characterization of three arylthiophenyl-functionalized diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives with different end-capping groups via direct C–H arylation.

The structural evolution of an isoindigo-based non-fullerene acceptor for use in organic photovoltaics

The structural evolution of an isoindigo molecule acceptor.