New electron-deficient 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-cored donor–acceptor compounds: Synthesis, photophysical and electroluminescent properties

Three new 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-containing luminophores with different electron deficiency of acceptor block have been prepared via the Pd-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling and nucleophilic fluorine substitution with cyano group. Photophysical and electroluminescent properties of the compounds obtained were investigated to estimate their potential for optoelectronic applications. The introduction of two fluorine atoms in the benzothiadiazole moiety leads to the hypsochromic shift of the electroluminescent emission, whereas the incorporation of two cyano groups shifts it into the long-wave region. All synthesized compounds were used as emissive layers in OLED devises.