Design, synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties of 2-(4,5-diphenyl-1-p-aryl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenol-based boron complexes

Abstract

New hybrid organic–inorganic boron compounds using an imidazole core have been readily synthesized by a two-step procedure from commercially available simple starting materials. All boron compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, LC-MS, thermogravimetric analysis, cyclic voltammetry and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (for 2a & 2c). The photoluminescence measurements of 2a–2c revealed distinct emission peak maxima located at 378, 379 and 387 nm, respectively. Electroluminescent devices fabricated using these boron compounds (2a–2c) suggest that the boron compounds are capable of transporting electrons. A maximum brightness of 6450 cd m⁻² at 12.5 V was realized when compound 2a was used as an electron-transporting material.