Perylenediimides as more than just non-fullerene acceptors: versatile components in organic, hybrid and perovskite solar cells

The most recent advances in the incorporation of perylenediimides in photovoltaic devices are highlighted.

Photophysical, electrochemical, self-assembly, and molecular packing properties of a sulfur-decorated perylene derivative

A sulfur-decorated perylene derivative, 1-propanethiol-N,N′-dicyclohexyl perylene-3,4,9,10 tetracarboxylic diimide (PTPDI), was synthesized and fully characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, HRMS, UV–vis absorption, fluorescence, fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence quantum yield, cyclic voltammetry, and thermogravimetric techniques. The optical, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopies were employed to study its self-assembly process. The photophysical properties were affected strongly by modifying the propanethiol unit linking to the perylene core. Furthermore, the chromophore showed two irreversible oxidations and two quasi-reversible reductions in dichloromethane at modest potential. The optical properties of PTPDI in various conditions and complementary density functional theory calculations were reported. Due to steric hindrance of the bulky n-propyl mercaptan substituent, PTPDI molecules are arranged in slipped face-to-face fashion to form J-aggregates. Thus, the intermolecular π–π actions of the molecule are weak, causing its high luminescence efficiency. In the meantime, the space between perylene cores is very short (3.45 Å), which is favorable for the hopping transportation of charge carrier from one molecule to an adjacent one. PTPDI could be a candidate material for acquiring a well-defined organic nanostructure with excellent charge-transporting and light-emitting capabilities.

Diels–Alder reaction on perylenediimides: synthesis and theoretical study of core-expanded diimides

(Un)substituted perylenediimides react with (un)functionalized benzynes yielding core-expanded diimides.

Progress in the synthesis of perylene bisimide dyes

Rapid progress in the synthesis of perylene bisimide dyes gave an old scaffold new life.

Direct amination and N-heteroarylation of perylenediimides

A mild, fluoride-mediated reaction for the direct introduction of amines and N-heterocycles.

Self-assembly, optical and electrical properties of perylene diimide dyes bearing unsymmetrical substituents at bay position

Perylene diimides (PDIs) are one class of the most explored organic fluorescent materials due to their high luminescence efficiency, optoelectronic properties, and ready to form well-tailored supramolecular structures. However, heavy aggregation caused quenching (ACQ) effect in solid state has greatly limited their potential applications. We have easily solved this problem by chemical modification of the PDI core with only phenoxy moietie at one of the bay position. In this paper, we report two perylene bisimides with small rigid substituents, 1- phenol -N, N'-dicyclohexyl perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI 1) and 1- p-chlorophenol-N, N'-dicyclohexyl perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI 2) possess both well defined organic nanostructures and high fluorescence quantum yield in the solid state. In contrast, 1-propanol-N, N'-dicyclohexyl perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI 3) bearing a straight chain only shown weak orange fluorescence. In addition, morphological inspection demonstrated that PDI 3 molecules easily form well-organized microstructures despite the linkage of the PDI core with a straight chain. The present strategy could provide a generic route towards novel and advanced fluorescent materials and these materials may find various applications in high-tech fields.

Synthesis of bay-triaminosubstituted perylenediimides

A mild fluoride-mediated reaction for the synthesis of 1,6,7-triaminoperylenediimides.

Fluoride-mediated alkoxylation and alkylthio-functionalization of halogenated perylenediimides

The presence of fluoride ions in the reaction of chloro- or bromo-PDIs with alcohols and thiols leads to a spectacular increase in the yields of substituted compounds.