A novel dimesitylboron-substituted indolo[3,2-b]carbazole derivative: Synthesis, electrochemical, photoluminescent and electroluminescent properties

A novel indolo[3,2-b]carbazole derivative containing B(Mes)2 groups, 5,11-dibutyl-2,8-bis(dimesitylboryl) indolo[3,2-b]carbazole (DBDMBICZ), was synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, MS. The thermal, electrochemical and photophysical properties of DBDMBICZ were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, electrochemical methods, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. DBDMBICZ exhibited high fluorescence quantum yields (Φmax = 0.76) in solution and excellent thermal stability (Td = 290 °C, Tg = 170 °C) and electrochemical stability. The multi-layered OLEDs devices with the configuration of ITO/NPB/CBP/light-emitting layer/Bphen/LiF/Al are fabricated by using DBDMBICZ as light-emitting layer. The devices show the same pure blue emissions at different voltages and relative good electroluminescent performances. The results indicate that DBDMBICZ has potential applications as an excellent optoelectronic material in optical field.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We synthesized a novel dimesitylboron-based indolo[3,2-b]carbazole derivative (DBDMBICZ). ► DBDMBICZ exhibited high fluorescence quantum yields in solution and excellent thermal stability. ► Efficient OLEDs fabricated with DBDMBICZ show pure blue emission and relative good electroluminescent performances.