Benjamin D. Lindner

Stable Hexacenes through Nitrogen Substitution

The stabilization of larger acenes is a demanding task both synthetically as well as conceptually to be solved in different ways. Neither unsubstituted hexacene nor its higher homologues are stable, but their existence can be demonstrated in suitable matrixes. In the case of pentacene, two strategically attached TIPS-ethynyl groups suffice to fully stabilize and solubilize this material (TIPS = triisopropylsilyl). In larger acenes, however, two TIPS-ethynyl groups do not provide enough stabilization to furnish long-term persistent representatives. Anthony et al. demonstrated that even sterically encumbered hexacenes (with two tris(trimethylsilyl)silylethynyl substituents) react in solution under butterfly dimerization with a half-life of around 20 minutes. Only the introduction of four more aryl groups in lateral positions increases the stability of higher acenes so far that the Wudl and Chi groups could obtain persistent heptacene derivatives with a half-life of up to one week in solution. But even here, formation of endoperoxides is observed after some time. The laterally attached phenyl groups lead to isolation of the p systems with respect to their next neighbors, as evidenced by single-crystal structure analysis. We demonstrate herein that nitrogen atoms introduced into the acene skeleton give persistent disubstituted heterohexacenes, which are stable even when stored for longer periods of time. The palladium-catalyzed coupling of 1 with 2 in the presence of the ligand L gave the tetrazaacene 3 after oxidation with MnO2 in good yields (Scheme 1). [8, 9] The dichlorobenzoquinoxaline 4 also couples in good yields to give 5 (Scheme 2) However, attempts to oxidize 5 by MnO2, IBX = 2-iodoxybenzoic acid, N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), potassium chromate, pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC), or Cu(OAc)2 were fruitless. Difficult-to-separate product mixtures formed, but not the desired acene. This behavior was not entirely unexpected, as Kummer and Zimmermann had already unsuccessfully attempted to oxidize 6, readily obtained by co-melting of diaminonaphthalene and dihydroxyanthracene at 220 8C, using chloroanil or PbO2. Azahexacenes remained unknown. To maximize the shielding effect of the TIPS groups, it might be better to attach them in the center of the molecule. Consequently, 7a,b were coupled to 2 (Scheme 3). The Pdcatalyzed coupling works very well in the presence of L and furnishes 8a,b in good to excellent yields (92 %, 56%). Both are dehydrogenated by MnO2 into the azaacens 9 a,b in 56% and 74% yield, but it is not clear why this reaction does not work for 5. The heteroacenes 9a and 9b are greenish black crystalline powders, stable under laboratory conditions both as solids and in solutions, which display a green-yellow color. By NMR spectroscopy we could not detect endoperoxide formation or dimerization of 9 to butterfly cycloadducts. In our case, triisopropylsilyl and even the triethylsilyl groups are sufficient to stabilize and solubilize the hexacene skeleton, but 9b is considerably less soluble than 9a. To extend this chemistry, we prepared 7c in a multistep synthesis starting from diaminoScheme 1. Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of 3. dba = dibenzylideneacetone.

Synthesis and Optical Properties of Diaza‐ and Tetraazatetracenes

A series of functionalized diaza- and tetraazatetracenes was synthesized, either by condensation of an aromatic diamine with an ortho-quinone/diethyloxalate followed by chlorination with POCl(3) to give diazatetracenes or by palladium-catalyzed coupling of a phenylenediamine with various 2,3-dichloroquinoxalines to give tetraazatetracenes (after oxidation with MnO(2)). Representative examples included halogenated and nitrated derivatives. The optical properties of these azatetracenes were discussed with respect to their molecular structures and substitution patterns. The diazatetracenes and tetraazatetracenes formed two different groups that had significantly different electronic structures and properties. Furthermore, 1,2,3,4-tetrafluoro-6,11-bis((triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)benzo[b]phenazine was synthesized, which is the first reported fluorinated diazatetracene. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of this compound is reported.

N-Fused quinoxalines and benzoquinoxalines as attractive emitters for organic light emitting diodes

We describe the modular synthesis of quinoxaline fluorophores exhibiting strong fluorescence over the whole visible spectrum. Based on their fluorescence quantum yield, frontier orbital energies and solid-state aggregation behavior, several compounds work well in fluorescent organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) with luminances over 1000 cd m−2 at 8 V driving voltage.

Alkynylated Phenazines: Synthesis, Characterization, and Metal-Binding Properties of Their Bis-Triazolyl Cycloadducts

We have synthesized a series of ethynylated phenazines and their bis-triazolyl cycloadducts to serve as metal ion sensors. Binding of metal ions is achieved through coordination to the phenazine nitrogen atom and the triazole ring. To allow metal sensing in aqueous solution, the triazole units are substituted with water-soluble ethylene glycol chains. These phenazine cycloadducts exhibit a selective affinity for binding silver ions. Examination of the halogenated analogues reveals a lowering of the band gap and the corresponding bathochromic shifts in the absorption and emission spectra. The electron-withdrawing properties of these halogens also result in significantly decreased metal-binding activity of the phenazine cycloadducts.

Electron-transporting phenazinothiadiazoles with engineered microstructure

Novel triisopropylsilyl-(TIPS)-alkynylated phenazinothiadiazoles were prepared by condensation of ortho-quinones and an alkynylated 5,6-diamino-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole. The targets show head-to-head dimerisation in the solid state, which, according to calculated transfer integrals should favor charge transport. The compounds form polycrystalline thin films when spin cast from solution. Two derivatives are attractive electron transporting materials with an average electron mobility μe in thin film transistors (TFT) of 0.07 cm2 V−1 s−1.

Water-soluble bis-triazolyl benzochalcogendiazole cycloadducts as tunable metal ion sensors.

A series of bis-triazolyl benzochalcogendiazoles was synthesized to investigate their metal-binding capabilities. These fluorophores were formed through the cycloaddition of an ethynylated benzochalcogendiazole and a water-soluble azide. Variation of the chalcogen heteroatom was seen to affect the photophysical properties as well as the metal-binding activity. These cycloadducts exhibited a distinct response to Cu(2+), Ni(2+), and Ag(+) in water. The binding affinity for the copper and nickel ions increased moving the chalcogen atom from O to Se. Statistical analysis of the spectral data enabled differentiation of Ag(+), Cu(2+), and Ni(2+) ions.

From thia- to selenadiazoles: changing interaction priority.

The synthesis, optical, and electrochemical properties as well as solid-state structures of a series of alkynylated, benzannulated selenadiazoles are reported. This set of compounds is compared to the lighter homologue series, the thiadiazoles. The selenadiazoles show head-to-head dimerization in the solid state, while packing of the thiadiazoles was dominated by the steric bulk of the side groups. The Se-N interaction is a supramolecular motif that should drive the effective self-assembly and modulate charge transport when these compounds are used as thin films in devices.

Alkynylated Diazadioxaacenes: Syntheses and Properties

We report the successful synthesis of a series of ethynylated dioxadiazaacenes and investigate their properties. We developed a modular Cu-based catalytic procedure to build up [1,4]dioxino[2,3-b]pyrazine motifs starting from only a few building blocks. TIPS-acetylene-substituted benzene-1,2-diol and naphthalene-2,3-diol were reacted with 2,3-dichloropyrazine, 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline, and 2,3-dichlorobenzoquinoxaline to give a set of six novel and well-soluble dioxadiazaacenes. Different reaction conditions for the coupling were tested. Copper catalysis is most effective and gave the best yield of dioxadiazaacenes. The resulting azaoxaacenes were characterized in terms of optical and electronic properties and crystal packing.

N,N′-Dihydrotetraazapentacenes (DHTA) in thin film transistors

The synthesis and structural properties of three N,N′-dihydrotetraazapentacenes (DHTA) are described. The different substitution pattern (H, F, Cl) of the dihydrotetraazapentacene body exhibited a significant effect on the optical, electronic and morphological properties of the derivatives in thin films. The synthesised materials were investigated as active layers in top gate/bottom contact (BC/TG) transistors. The transistor performance of the dichlorinated derivative was almost independent on the processing conditions with an average hole mobility of ∼0.04 cm2 V−1 s−1 and best mobility values ranging from 0.07 to 0.11 cm2 V−1 s−1. Each of the three derivatives was found to exhibit an individual packing motif in solution grown crystals, determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. Surprisingly, for all three materials a different polymorph formed in spin cast films explaining the observed morphology and FET performance.

Partially Fluorinated Tetraazaacenes by Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution

We report the sodium hydride-mediated reactions of a diethynylated diaminophenazine with perfluorobenzene, perfluoronaphthalene, and two octafluoroanthracene derivatives. In all of the cases, an N,N-dihydropyrazine ring is formed, and partially fluorinated tetraazapentacenes, tetraazahexacenes, and tetraazaheptacenes (in their respective N,N-dihydro forms) are easily prepared. In the case of the dihydrotetraazapentacenes and -hexacenes, oxidation with manganese dioxide is possible to give the desired, fully unsaturated tetraazaacenes; two molecules of the azahexacene undergo a Diels-Alder reaction in which an alkyne substituent in the conserved hexacene unit works as the dienophile while the tetraazahexacene participates as the diene to give an unsymmetrical dimer. All of the coupling targets were investigated by NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, and several single-crystal structures of the N,N-dihydrotetraazaacenes and also that of the tetrafluorotetraazaacene were obtained.