Synthesis and Characterization of Cyclopentadithiophene Heterofulvenes: Design Tools for Light-Activated Processes

Amal El Nahhas, Muhammad Anwar Shameem, Pavel Chabera, Jens Uhlig, Andreas Orthaber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The development of new materials for solar-to-energy conversion should consider stability, ease of fabrication, and beneficial photophysical properties. In this context, a set of novel π-conjugated building blocks, with phospha- and arsaalkenes possessing a unique dithienyl annulated heterofulvenoid core, have been prepared as air- and moisture-stable sensitizers. These compounds unify electron-donor and -acceptor moieties, making them potential candidates for light-harvesting applications. Optical characterization of these systems was performed by steady-state and time-resolved absorption spectroscopy, supported by time-dependent DFT calculations. Tuning of the optical properties of these systems can be achieved by varying the pnictogen element at the bridgehead position, giving a bathochromic shift of ≈40 nm and coordinating the phosphaalkene towards gold AuI centers. The latter results in a ≈2000-fold extension of the ≈10 ps lifetime of uncoordinated systems well into the ns regime.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5673-5677
Number of pages5
JournalChemistry - A European Journal
Volume23
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017 Apr 27

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Physical Chemistry
  • Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics

Free keywords

  • arsaalkene
  • electrochemistry
  • main group elements
  • phosphaalkene
  • pnictogens
  • time-resolved spectroscopy

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