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Partial Fluorination as a Strategy for Crystal Engineering of Rubrene Derivatives

Journal Article · · Crystal Growth and Design

Through a close examination of the intermolecular interactions of rubrene (1a) and select derivatives (1b–1p), a clearer understanding of why certain fluorinated rubrene derivatives pack with planar tetracene backbones has been achieved. In this study we synthesized, crystallized, and determined the packing structure of new rubrene derivatives (1h–p). Previously, we proposed that introducing electron-withdrawing CF3 substituents induced planarity by reducing intramolecular repulsion between the peripheral aryl groups (1e–g). However, we found that in most cases, further increasing the fluorine content of rubrene lead to twisted tetracene backbones in the solid state. To understand how rubrene (1a) and its derivatives (1b–p) pack in the solid state, we (re)examined the crystal structures through a systematic study of the close contacts. We found that planar tetracene cores occur when close contacts organize to produce an S symmetry element about a given rubrene molecule. Here, we report the first instance of rubrene derivatives (1l and 1n) that pack in a two-dimensional brick motif. The prospects for new rubrene derivatives in semiconductors were estimated by calculating the reorganization energies of the monomers and transfer integrals of the dimers we observed. Our work allows for the rational design and improved crystal engineering of new rubrene derivatives.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR). Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0008666
OSTI ID:
1534432
Journal Information:
Crystal Growth and Design, Journal Name: Crystal Growth and Design Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 17; ISSN 1528-7483
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (2)

Modulating the Electronic and Solid‐State Structure of Organic Semiconductors by Site‐Specific Substitution: The Case of Tetrafluoropentacenes journal March 2020
A 2-D π–π dimer model system to investigate structure-charge transfer relationships in rubrene journal January 2019


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