Functionalization of ‘kite’ shaped styryl end-capped benzodithiophene with ketone groups: synthesis, characterization and properties

We report the synthesis of a new bridged end-capped distyryldithiophene with ketone groups on the bridge: E,E-2,7′-bis((2-phenyl)-ethenyl)-benzo[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene-4,5-dione 1. Optical and electrochemical properties of 1 in solution were investigated by UV–vis absorption and cyclic voltammetry and compared to the unsubstituted parent molecule (KDS2T). Morphology of 1-based thin films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the crystalline structure characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thin films were implemented as active layers into organic thin-film transistors (OTFT) in top contact configuration to evaluate the charge transport properties.