‘Click’ synthesis of starburst triphenylamine as potential emitting material

The efficient synthesis of a starburst triphenylamine, tris(4-(1-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)phenyl)amine, via straightforward ‘click coupling’ of 4-azido-N,N-diphenylbenzenamine and tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine is reported. The reaction was performed in THF using (PPh3)3CuBr as catalyst and was accomplished within 6 h in high yield (92%). Both the synthesis and purification steps were greatly simplified in comparison with conventional methods. The optical, electrochemical, and thermal properties of the starburst triphenylamine were examined; the synthesized compound emitted deep blue fluorescence in both solution and the solid state and displayed reversible redox processes. The starburst triphenylamine is a potential hole-transporting material and blue-light-emitting material.