Photo- and electroluminescent properties of cyano-substituted styryl derivatives and synthesis of CN-PPV model compounds containing an alkoxy spacer for OLEDs

The series of cyano-substituted model compounds 18-20 for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) was prepared through Knoevenagel condensation reactions between the dialdehydes 3,6,9 and the differently substituted acetonitrile derivatives 11,16,17. The influence of the different substituents on the optical properties of the resulting alpha-cyanostyryl compounds 18-20 was investigated. Another series of dimeric cyano-substituted styryl compounds 26-28 were prepared, in which a flexible, nonconjugated spacer is present between the two cyanostyryl moieties. The spacer isolates the pi-conjugated portions of dimeric compounds 26-28, improves their solubility in common organic solvents, and decreases their tendency to crystallize. These features are favorable for producing efficient luminescent films in OLEDs devices. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.