The synthesis of novel perylene-like dyes and their aggregation properties in Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett films

The synthesis of novel perylene-like dyes with different length and molecular structure of terminal chains substituted to the main perylene core is described. The dyes are able to form compressible and stable monolayers at the air–water interface (Langmuir films), which can be easily transferred onto solid substrates (Langmuir–Blodgett films). In the Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett films, the dye molecules show tendency to creation of self-aggregates, both in the ground and excited electronic states. The influence of the molecular structure of the substituents on the aggregation properties is observed and discussed.

► The synthesis of novel perylene-like dyes with very good fluorescent properties is described.
► The dyes create Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett films and can be used in molecular electronic devices.
► The aggregation properties of dyes depend on the molecular structure of chains substituted to main core of perylene molecule.