Synthesis of Boron-Doped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Tandem Intramolecular Electrophilic Arene Borylation

Tandem intramolecular electrophilic arene borylation was developed to facilitate access to B-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). DFT calculations revealed that electrophilic arene borylation occurred via a four-membered ring transition state, in which C-B and H-Br bonds formed in a concerted manner. An organic light-emitting diode employing the B-doped PAH as an emitter and a B-doped PAH-based field-effect transistor were successfully fabricated, demonstrating the potential of B-doped PAHs in materials science.