596109-87-4

The character of the electronic transitions in the ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-vis-NIR) spectra of platinum-bis(alkynyl) bridged, bis-triarylamine mixed-valence systems trans-[Pt(Ci CC6H 4NAr2)2 (PR3)2] n+ (R = ethyl, Ar = C6H4CH3-4 (1) or C6H4OCH3-4 (2); R = Ph, Ar = C 6H4CH3-4 (3) or C6H 4OCH3-4 (4), n = 0, 1, 2) has been determined from a combination of spectroscopic measurement and density functional theory calculations. The hybrid functional BLYP35 in combination with a suitable solvent model (i.e., conductor-like screening model (COSMO)) has been used to model the UV-vis-NIR and IR spectroscopic properties of [1-4]+, to confirm the description of [1-4]+ as examples of metal-bridged organic mixed-valence compounds, and to assign the principal features of the electronic spectra, including the triarylamine-based intervalence charge transfer transition located in the NIR region. The successful modeling of the charge distribution within the system demonstrates the utility of the BLYP35-COSMO protocol as a tool for use in the study of intramolecular charge transfer properties in mixed-valence complexes.

We have synthesized and characterized a series of triphenylamine-based hole-transport materials (HTMs), and studied their function in solid-state dye sensitized solar cells (ss-DSSCs). By increasing the electron-donating strength of functional groups (-H -Me -SMe -OMe) we have systematically shifted the oxidation potential and ensuing photocurrent generation and open-circuit voltage of the solar cells. Correlating the electronic properties of the HTM to the device operation highlights a significant energy offset required between the Dye-HTM highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels. From this study, it is apparent that precise control and tuning of the oxidation potential is a necessity, and usually not achieved with most HTMs developed to date for ss-DSSCs. To significantly increase the efficiency of solid-state DSSCs understanding these properties, and implementing dye-HTM combinations to minimize the required HOMO offset is of central importance.

The title compounds were synthesised and characterised as part of a study into new aromatic amines for charge transporting materials. Each compound was characterised by cyclic voltammetry. A qualitative estimate of the intramolecular charge mobility was deduced from the difference between the first and second oxidation potentials.