Imide-Functionalized Helical PAHs: A Step towards New Chiral Functional Materials

Dedicated to Professor Klaus Müllen

Abstract

Attachment of cyclic imide groups to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) leads to fascinating electronic and luminescence properties, with rylene diimides being a representative example. The close to unity fluorescence quantum yields and electron-acceptor properties render them suitable for application in organic electronics and photovoltaics. Recent reports show that, in line with planar PAHs, the imide functionalization has also endowed helical three-dimensional PAHs with similar beneficial photophysical properties. In this article, we have summarized the state-of-the-art research developments in the field of helicene–imide hybrid functional molecules, with a particular focus on synthesis, (chir)optical and redox properties, and applications in electronics. Additionally, we have highlighted our recent work, introducing a novel family of functional chiral molecules, namely, [n]helicene diimides, as three-dimensional relatives of rylene diimides.

Key words

chirality - helicenes - [n]helicene diimides - rylene diimides - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - functional organic materials

Publication History

Received: 26 July 2021

Accepted after revision: 27 August 2021

Accepted Manuscript online:
27 August 2021

Article published online:
28 September 2021

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