Synthesis and photophysical processes of an anthracene derivative containing hole transfer groups

A novel luminescent compound 9,10-di-(N-carbazovinylene)anthracene (DCVA) was synthesized by Heck reaction of 9,10-dibromoanthracene and N-vinylcarbazole. The structure was characterized by MS, 1H NMR and Elemental analysis. The photoluminescent properties of DCVA have been carefully investigated by UV–vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra. The results showed that the luminescent quantum yield of DCVA was 0.73 in THF and it emitted blue-light with the band gap of 3.60 eV estimated from the onset absorption. In addition, the light-emission of DCVA can be quenched by electron acceptor (dimethyl terephthalate), however, the fluorescent intensities of DCVA were slowly increased with the addition of electron donor (N,N-dimethylaniline). Furthermore, the molecular interactions of DCVA with fullerene (C60) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were also investigated, which indicated the organic luminescent compound can be used as new fluorescent probe.