NIR J-Aggregates of Hydroazaheptacene Tetraimides

Hydroazaacene dicarboximide derivatives with red to NIR absorptions are designed and synthesized, which exhibit well-defined J-aggregation behaviors in both solution and thin films. The absorption and emission of an aggregate extend well into the NIR regime (lambda(max) = 902 nm), manifesting particularly narrow bandwidth (fwhm = 152 cm(-1)) and is nearly transparent in the visible region.