Aaron G. Fix

6,12-Diarylindeno(1,2-b)fluorenes: Syntheses, Photophysics, and Ambipolar OFETs

Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of 6,12-diarylindeno[1,2-b]fluorenes (IFs). Functionalization with electron donor and acceptor groups influences the ability of the IF scaffold to undergo two-electron oxidation and reduction to yield the corresponding 18- and 22-π-electron species, respectively. A single crystal of the pentafluorophenyl-substituted IF can serve as an active layer in an organic field-effect transistor (OFET). The important finding is that the single-crystal OFET yields an ambipolar device that is able to transport holes and electrons.

Electron-accepting 6,12-diethynylindeno[1,2-b]fluorenes: synthesis, crystal structures, and photophysical properties.

Polycyclic hydrocarbons that possess extended p conjugation are of significant interest because of their potential use in optical and electronic devices such as light emitting devices, field-effect transistors, and photovoltaics. While a majority of studies have focused on acenes such as pentacene and its derivatives (e.g., 1; Scheme 1), these systems are susceptible to oxidative and photolytic degradation; thus, there is a need for alternative, acene-like molecules. One avenue in this search has explored compounds containing five-membered rings, rather than the more traditional six-membered rings. Prime examples of such molecules are dibenzopentalene (2) and derivatives thereof, wherein the groups of Saito, Kawase, and Tilley have recently described improved methods for their construction.

Indeno[2,1-c]fluorene: A New Electron-Accepting Scaffold for Organic Electronics

A new class of fully conjugated indenofluorenes has been synthesized and confirmed by solid-state structure analysis. These indeno[2,1-c]fluorene molecules, containing an antiaromatic as-indacene core (in red), possess high electron affinities and show a broad absorption that reaches into the near-IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. All of the featured compounds reversibly accept up to two electrons. Their electronic properties make this class of compounds attractive for applications in organic electronic devices.

Quinoidal diindenothienoacenes: synthesis and properties of new functional organic materials

We report the preparation and characterization of a new class of quinoidal thienoacenes. The synthetic route is efficient, high-yielding and scalable with the potential for further functionalization. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that, as size increases, the molecules pack in progressively closer 1D arrangements. The title compounds are shown to have amphoteric redox behaviour by cyclic voltammetry. The anion radicals are studied by EPR spectrometry and by computations. The electron-accepting nature, NIR absorption and the low-lying LUMO energies (ca. −4.0 eV) allude to potential use in materials applications.

Indenofluorenes and derivatives: syntheses and emerging materials applications.

The growing demand for flexible electronic devices and hydrogen storage materials has spurred a resurgence of interest in polyaryl hydrocarbons including graphene, acenes, fullerenes, polythiophenes, etc. Indenofluorenes are another polyaryl molecular scaffold that has shown utility in the organic and hybrid materials arena, with polymers incorporating the indeno[1,2-b]fluorene moiety being common in organic light emitting diodes. This review examines the syntheses and properties of the five distinct indenofluorene regioisomers, with a focus on small molecule applications in organic electronics of this intriguing and somewhat underexplored family of polyaryl hydrocarbons.

Synthesis and photophysical properties of expanded dehydrobenzoannulenoannulene trefoils.

A sequential Sonogashira cross-coupling/Pd-mediated oxidative homocoupling strategy affords two-dimensional dehydrobenzoannulene trefoils containing different sizes of the central annulenic ring system. Use of these conditions instead of Cu-mediated homocoupling conditions yields a structural isomer possessing a triphenylene ([6]annulene) core. Noticeable differences in the absorption and emission spectra are observed depending upon the core unit.

Scalable synthesis of 5,11-diethynylated indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-6,12-diones and exploration of their solid state packing

Summary We report a new synthetic route to 5,11-disubstituted indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-6,12-diones that is amenable to larger scale reactions, allowing for the preparation of gram amounts of material. With this new methodology, we explored the effects on crystal packing morphology for the indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-6,12-diones by varying the substituents on the silylethynyl groups.