Photophysical and semiconducting properties of isomeric triphenylimidazole derivatives with a benzophenone moiety

Abstract

Two new isomeric organic compounds based on triphenylimidazole and benzophenone moieties connected via the para- or meta-position relative to their carbonyl group were synthesized via a one-step reaction from commercially available compounds without chromatographic purification. This strategy of connection resulted in the separation of frontier orbitals and the formation of donor–acceptor (D–A) structures. The structures of these compounds were proved by single-crystal analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance as well as vibrational spectroscopic methods. Moreover, their thermal, photophysical, electrochemical and carrier mobilities were investigated. To show the specific electrical properties of semiconductors of these compounds, density functional and our modified Marcus theories were employed. Based on theoretical predictions and experimental photophysics of these compounds, the highly complex anti-Kasha's emissions from two different singlet states were observed.