The synthesis, characterization and optical properties of novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole-containing imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives

A series of novel substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of 3-butyl-1-chloroimidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-7-carbohydrazide with propionyl chloride and substituted benzoic chloride in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride. The compounds were characterized using IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS. Absorption and fluorescence spectra were measured in dichloromethane; an intense absorption maxima was noted at ca. 290 nm and emission maxima was noted at ca. 470 nm. The absorption spectra of the 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives reveal that a phenyl and an ethyl group attached to the 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring markedly influenced the maximum absorption. The structures based on density function theory (DFT) calculation show planar configurations for the compounds. The calculated molecular orbital correlates well with their absorption.