Effect of para -aryl-substituted N -phenyl groups on the photophysical properties of highly fluorescent dibenzo c , g carbazole-based chromophores

Dibenzoc,gcarbazole (DBC) derivatives are an emerging class of fused-ring carbazole chromophores that exhibit promising optoelectronic properties. However, challenges with their synthesis mean that their photophysical properties remain poorly understood. In this study, we successfully synthesized a series of DBC-based chromophores bearing para-aryl-substituted N-phenyl groups (Ar = phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, pyrenyl, and carbazolyl). We then elucidated the structure-property relationships that govern their photophysical behavior. The DBC core scaffold was established through the Cu(ii)-catalyzed oxidative tandem coupling and cyclization of 2-naphthylamine, followed by Suzuki or Buchwald-Hartwig coupling to introduce extended aromatic substituents. All compounds exhibited strong absorption in the 305-367 nm range and intense emission with high photoluminescence quantum yields (Φ PL = 74-97% in solution and 67-74% in film). Theoretical calculations revealed that a moderately twisted geometry between the DBC moiety and para-aryl-substituted N-phenyl unit allowed for locally excited π-π* transitions with partial intramolecular charge transfer, resulting in red-shifted emission. The impressive emission efficiencies and thermal stabilities of these DBC-based chromophores make them promising candidates for high-performance optoelectronic materials.