The synthesis of soluble dibenzobarrelene-substituted azaacenes either by condensation reactions in solution or, more effectively, in the solid state by using a ball mill is reported herein. We relate their optical properties in thin films to their packing in the solid state. The targets are characterized by cyclic voltammetry, X-ray crystallography and UV/Vis and fluorescence analysis. Three highly fluorescent, amorphous azaacenes were processed into organic light-emitting diodes, and their improved performance (luminance, efficiency and efficacy) was compared with that of structurally related iptycene-based azaacenes.
Keywords: fluorescence; pi interactions; solid-state reactions; solid-state structures; thin films.
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