Electron-Deficient Triphenylene and Trinaphthylene Carboximides

A series of triphenylene and trinaphthylene carboximides were synthesized mainly through Diels-Alder reactions between the in situ generated radialenes and N-alkylmaleimides. High electron affinity was obtained due to the attachment of electron-withdrawing carboximide groups. These disklike molecules can assemble into one-dimensional columnar structures in solid state and their mesophase properties were characterized by DSC, POM, and X-ray diffraction. Long-range ordered columnar phase was observed, qualifying them as potential n-type semiconductors in electronic devices.