Synthesis and structure-property relationships of donor/acceptor-functionalized bis(dehydrobenzo[18]annuleno)benzenes.

Seven new bis(dehydrobenzo[18]annuleno)benzenes (bis[18]DBAs) functionalized with electron-donating dibutylamino groups and/or accepting nitro groups at various positions along the peripheries of the chromophores have been prepared. The effects of varying the donor/acceptor charge transfer pathways, chromophore lengths and molecular symmetries upon the optical band gaps are studied using UV-visible spectroscopy, and structure-property correlations are identified. It is found that bis[18]DBAs possessing donor-pi-donor and acceptor-pi-acceptor pathways exhibit the smallest band gaps, especially when an acceptor-pi-acceptor pathway is situated along the longest chromophore length in the molecule. The all-donor species is also found to exhibit efficient fluorescence with dramatic solvatochromism. The results may have value to the rational design of future NLO/TPA device components.