Donor/acceptor-substituted anthradithiophene materials: synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties

The synthesis and characterization of two new anthradithiophene (ADT) derivatives bearing electron donating (triphenylamine) or accepting (5-formylthiophen-2-yl unit) moieties have been performed to assess their potential as materials for organic photovoltaics. Optical spectroscopy was used to evaluate the effect of electron rich/poor substituents on the visible absorption spectrum and on the stability towards photo-oxidation. The results are interpreted with the assistance of quantum-chemical calculations and cyclic voltammetry experiments.