Star-shaped oligo(fluorene ethynylene)-functionalized truxene derivatives: synthesis, characterization, and their size effects

A series of monodisperse, well-defined, star-shaped truxene derivatives bearing oligo(fluorene ethynylene) (OFE) branches were constructed through a convergent synthetic strategy. The radius of the largest molecule TOFE4 was up to about 4.5 nm. Linear OFE branches with different length were first constructed in high yields alternately using the Sonogashira cross-coupling and propargyl alcohol deprotection reaction. The detailed investigation of their photophysical properties in solution and in film indicated that these star-shaped molecules exhibited obvious size effects on their distinct photoluminescence and electroluminescence behaviors. Furthermore, good performances were achieved from the fabrication of double-layer organic light-emitting diodes using these star-shaped molecules as active materials.