Isomeric Quinoxalinedicarbonitrile as Color-Managing Acceptors of Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent Emitters

Highly efficient yellow and red thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) organic light-emitting diodes were developed using two quinoxalinedicarbonitrile units, quinoxaline-6,7-dicarbonitrile (6,7-DCQx) and quinoxaline-5,8-dicarbonitrile (5,8-DCQx) as electron acceptors, and t-butylcarbazole or 9,9-dimethylacridan as electron donors. The strong electron-withdrawing capability of the 5,8-DCQx and 6,7-DCQx acceptors enabled from yellow to red emission in the TADF emitters. Comparing 5,8-DCQx and 6,7-DCQx, a red-shifted emission by about 40 nm was observed in the 5,8-DCQx acceptor-based emitters, but the external quantum efficiency of the TADF devices was over 20% irrespective of the acceptor, proving the usefulness of the two acceptor moieties as the building blocks of the TADF emitters. Therefore, the quinoxaline-dicarbonitrile acceptors are promising as the acceptor moiety for designing yellow or red TADF emitters.