Boosting quantum yields and circularly polarized luminescence of penta- and hexahelicenes by doping with two BN-groups

The incorporation of boron-nitrogen (BN) units into polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as an isoelectronic replacement of two carbon atoms can significantly improve their optical properties, while the geometries are mostly retained. We report the first non-pi-extended penta- and hexahelicenes comprising two aromatic 1,2-azaborinine rings. Comparing them with their all-carbon analogs regarding structural, spectral and (chir)optical properties allowed us to quantify the impact of the heteroatoms. In particular, BN-hexahelicene BN[6] exhibited a crystal structure congruent with its analog CC[6], but displayed a fivefold higher fluorescence quantum yield (phi fl = 0.17) and an outstanding luminescence dissymmetry factor (|glum| = 1.33 x 10-2). Such an unusual magnification of both properties at the same time makes BN-helicenes suitable candidates as circularly polarized luminescence emitters for applications in materials science. The presented penta- and hexahelicenes with two boron-nitrogen groups resemble their all-carbon analogs structurally but show considerably improved (chir)optical properties like absorptivities, quantum yields and luminescence dissymmetries.

Automated summary

The incorporation of boron-nitrogen units into polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons improves their optical properties while retaining their geometries. The study found that helicenes with boron-nitrogen groups exhibited higher fluorescence quantum yield and outstanding luminescence dissymmetry, making them suitable candidates for circularly polarized luminescence emitters in materials science.