10.1021/ol051972k
The study presents the synthesis and characterization of a fluorine-substituted hexakisdecyloxyhexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC), a compound known for its electronic and optoelectronic properties. The researchers used 2,6-difluorophenol as the starting material, which was alkylated, iodinated, and coupled with trimethylsilyacetylene to form intermediate compounds. These were then subjected to cyclotrimerization and cyclodehydrogenation to yield the final product. The purpose of these chemicals was to create a fluorine-substituted HBC that could potentially avoid oxidation issues encountered in the synthesis of alkoxy HBCs, by using electron-withdrawing fluorine groups to counteract the electron-donating effects of alkoxy groups. The synthesized compound was found to form columnar assemblies in its liquid-crystalline phase and in thin films, and it showed similar charge-carrier mobility to nonfluorinated HBCs, with electrochemical data suggesting the possibility of electron injection into the material. This study aimed to understand the effects of different substituents on the morphological and electronic properties of HBCs, with potential applications in device structures due to the compound's improved processibility and electronic properties.