Synthesis and photophysical properties of conjugated anthracene-based compounds

Four novel diarylanthracene derivatives (1, 5a, 5b, 6) have been synthesized by Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling reactions, characterized and their structure assigned by H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. The spectral and photophysical properties of a series of symmetrically and asymmetrically disubstituted anthracene-based compounds (1-6) and of benzothiadiazole derivative 7 have been studied. All these photostable systems show high fluorescence emission and a batochromic shift of the absorption spectrum that increase with pi-conjugation. Flash photolysis measurements were carried out on the poor fluorescent compound 4. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.