The optical and electronic properties of organic π-conjugated materials can be dramatically altered by incorporation of heteroatoms. A particularly effective method is to embed electron-deficient boron atoms into the molecular skeleton. The ability of boron to participate in π-delocalization can have a dramatic effect on the electronic structure of conjugated materials by selectively lowering the LUMO orbital levels. The electronic structure can also be modulated by B-N Lewis pair (LP) functionalization. Such an approach offers intriguing opportunities due to (i) the ensuing planarization of the molecular skeleton; (ii) the increased electron-deficient character as the LUMO energy is lowered; (iii) the potential for stimuli-responsive “smart” materials and molecular switches enabled by the reversibility of the LP formation.<br/>In our recent work, we have explored the effects of tricoordinate boranes in conjugated oligomers and polymers on the luminescent and photovoltaic properties. We have also developed B-N Lewis pair functionalized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as new building blocks of conjugated polymers.

Organoboranes as electron-deficient building blocks for new conjugated materials

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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