Cu-catalysed direct C–H (hetero)arylation of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine to construct deep-blue-emitting luminophores

Cu-catalysed direct C–H (hetero)arylation of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine has been accomplished for the first time to streamline the synthesis of 3-aryl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines for screening blue-emitting materials. On this basis, the photophysical properties of the resulting compounds were systematically investigated, most of which exhibited excellent deep-blue emission with moderate to high quantum yields, photostability, air stability and thermal stability.