The realization and development of non-fullerene acceptors is desirable in securing organic photovoltaics as a widespread alternative energy source. Interest in n-type materials for organic electronic applications has increased substantially in recent years. Aza-substitution into p-type semiconductors is a strategy with great promise towards the development of new acceptors (n-type). This has been demonstrated in theoretical calculations and experimentally to sufficiently suppress the HOMO-LUMO energy levels yielding n-type materials in oligoacenes. However the utilization of this strategy has been severely limited due to current synthetic methods. A versatile synthetic strategy is presented towards aza-substituted pentacenes and diindenoperylenes. The novel approach allows for unprecedented control and placement of aza-substitution into the acene framework. For example 1,5,8,12-tetra-azapentacene has been realized for the first time. The photophysical and electrochemical characterization of these materials will also be presented along with their initial performance as acceptors in bilayer organic photovoltaic devices.

Efficient design and synthesis of non-fullerene acceptors for organic photovoltaics

245th National Meeting (2013)

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