Diphenylthienylamine-Based Star-Shaped Molecules for Electroluminescence Applications

Star-shaped compounds containing a triphenylamine as the central core and three diphenylthienylamines (NAr 1 Ar 2 (th): 3a, Ar 1 = Ar 2 = Ph; 3b, Ar 1 = Ph and Ar 2 = 3-tolyl; 3c, Ar 1 = Ph and Ar 2 = 1-naphthyl; 3d, NAr 1 Ar 2 = carbazolyl) as the peripheral functional groups have been synthesized and characterized. These compounds exhibit four successive reversible one-electron redox processes except for 3d in which only two one-electron reversible oxidation waves are observed. The compounds 3a − d can be used as hole transport materials, and electroluminescent devices ITO/ 3 /Alq [tris(8-quinolinolato)aluminum]/Mg:Ag emit green light characteristic of Alq. The device ITO/ 3d /BCP (bathocuproine)/Alq/Mg:Ag is blue emitting, in which 3d is the luminophore.