Synthesis and optoelectronic properties of thieno[2,3-b]thiophene based bis 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives as blue fluorescent material for use in organic light emitting diodes

• Novel symmetrical thieno[2,3-b]thiophene based bis 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives.
• Exhibited blue fluorescent properties with better quantum yield.
• HOMO–LUMO and reduced band gap revealed facile reversible redox behaviour.
• Substituents on oxadiazole ring affects the absorption and emission maxima.
• Observed a significant bathochromic shift for bulky anthracene group in 3f.

We report the synthesis and optoelectronic properties of a series of symmetrical disubstituted derivatives containing bis 1,3,4-oxadiazole with thieno[2,3-b]thiophene backbone (3a–f). These novel compounds were synthesized by employing simple and convenient synthetic protocol using thieno[2,3-b]thiphene-2,5,dicarboxylic acid as a starting material. The structures of these target molecules were established by their analytical and spectral data. The photo physical and electrochemical studies revealed that these compounds exhibit good blue fluorescent properties with better quantum yield. These compounds are expected to be of use in various optoelectronic applications.