Diphenylthienylamine-based star-shaped molecules for electroluminescence applications

Star-shaped compounds containing a triphenylamine as the central core and t hree diphenylthienylamines ((NArAr2)-Ar-1(th): 3a, Ar-1 = Ar-2 = Ph; 3b, Ar -1 = Ph and Ar-2 = 3-tolyl; 3c, Ar-1 = Ph and Ar-2 = 1-naphthyl; 3d, (NArAr 2)-Ar-1 = carbazolyl) as the peripheral functional groups have been synthes ized and characterized. These compounds exhibit four successive reversible one-electron redox processes except for 3d in which only two one-electron r eversible oxidation waves are observed. The compounds 3a-d can be used as h ole transport materials, and electroluminescent devices ITO/3/Alq [tris(8-q uinolinolato)aluminum]/Mg:Ag emit green light characteristic of Alq. The de vice ITO/3d/BCP (bathocuproine)/Alq/Mg:Ag is blue emitting, in which 3d is the luminophore.