Synthesis, Characterization and Photocurrent Behavior of Asymmetrical Heterotwistacenes

Four novel pyrene-fused asymmetrical twistacenes (1-4) containing heteroatoms in the main frameworks were synthesized and their structures are characterized by using (HNMR)-H-1, C-13 NMR and mass spectrometry. Single crystal X-ray analysis shows that compound 1 has a twisted structure with the torsion angle of 26.39 degrees between pyrene moiety and naphthalene unit, and the terminal benzenedithiol group fold out of the naphthalene plane with dihedral angle of 53.10 degrees. Moreover, the effect of heteroatoms on their optical and electrochemical property was studied in detail. The fabricated devices based on 3 and 4 can produce steady photocurrent upon irradiation of a halogen lamp. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.