Conjugated polymers posses many exceptional electronic, optical and thermal properties and thus are well suited for organic semiconducting applications, such as photovoltaic cells, thin film transistors, and light emitting diodes. Since the properties of organic semiconductors can be readily modified through chemical synthesis, we have turned our attention towards the design and synthesis of novel building blocks. Of particular interest is the development of materials with narrow band gaps and broad absorption profiles for use in organic solar cells.. We have also pioneered the synthesis of the electron-rich benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]difuran (BDF)benzodifuran, the oxygen analog of the popular electron rich building block benzodithiophene and are developing narrow band gap conjugated polymers based on it. We have also prepared naphtho[2,1-b:6,5-b′] difuran (NDF). We have been comparing these building blocks to the sulfur and selenium analogs. Our work on the synthesis and properties and utility of these polymers will be presented.

Design and synthesis of novel heterocyclic building blocks based on benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′] and Naphtho[2,1-b:6,5-b′]chalcogenophenes

254th National Meeting (2017)

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