Synthesis and photophysical properties of conjugated anthracene-based compounds

Four novel diarylanthracene derivatives (1, 5a, 5b, 6) have been synthesized by Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling reactions, characterized and their structure assigned by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The spectral and photophysical properties of a series of symmetrically and asymmetrically disubstituted anthracene-based compounds (1–6) and of benzothiadiazole derivative 7 have been studied. All these photostable systems show high fluorescence emission and a batochromic shift of the absorption spectrum that increase with π-conjugation. Flash photolysis measurements were carried out on the poor fluorescent compound 4.