EP3398218A1

EP3398218A1 - New emitter materials and matrix materials for optoelectronic and electronic components, in particular organic light-emitting diodes (oleds)

Info

Publication number: EP3398218A1
Application number: EP16826748.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Reinhard Scholz; Ramunas Lygaitis; Paul Kleine; Simone Hofmann; Sebastian Reineke
Original assignee: Technische Universitaet Dresden
Current assignee: Technische Universitaet Dresden
Priority date: 2015-12-28
Filing date: 2016-12-28
Publication date: 2018-11-07
Also published as: KR20180101430A; US20210167304A1; WO2017114857A1; DE102015122869A1; JP2019505505A; CN108604644A

Abstract

The invention relates to compounds, comprising at least one donor group and at least one acceptor group, in which the transition energy of the lowest excited triplet back into the ground state both of the corresponding donor molecule and of the corresponding acceptor molecule being at least 2.2 eV, and the use thereof as an emitter or a carrier material in an optoelectronic component.

Description

New emitter materials and matrix materials for opto-electronic and electronic components, in particular organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)

The present invention relates to compounds as described herein, as well as their use as emitter or host material in an optoelectronic device.

The development of novel functional compounds for use in electronic devices is currently the subject of intense research. The aim here is the development and investigation of compounds that have not been used in electronic devices so far, as well as the development of compounds that allow an improved property profile of the devices.

The term optoelectronic component according to the present invention includes organic integrated circuits (OICs), organic field effect transistors (OFETs), organic thin film transistors (OTFTs), organic light emitting transistors (OLETs), organic solar cells (OSCs), organic optical Detectors, organic photoreceptors, organic field quench devices (OFQDs), organic light-emitting electrochemical cells (OLECs), organic laser diodes (O-lasers) and organic electroluminescent devices such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) understood.

The structure of organic electroluminescent devices (OLEDs) in which the compounds described herein can preferably be used as functional materials is known to the person skilled in the art and is described inter alia in patent publications US 4539507, US 5151629, EP 0676461 and WO 1998/27136.

Regarding the performance of the OLEDs, further improvements are needed, especially with a view to widespread commercial use. Of particular importance in this connection are the service life, the efficiency and the operating voltage of the OLEDs as well as the color values realized. In particular, the industry urgently needs long-lived, efficient blue emitters for OLEDs, which are also inexpensive to produce on top of that.

Due to spin restrictions in the recombination process of the electrons and holes in the emitter layer of organic electroluminescent devices, only a maximum of 25% of the electrical energy can be converted into light in fluorescent emitters. The use of organometallic complex structures takes advantage of the triplet excitons otherwise lost through non-radiative electroluminescent quenching processes. In particular, phosphorescent emitters containing iridium or other transition metals represent the state of the art. These phosphorescent emitters are doped in matrix materials with high triplet states, these matrix materials frequently containing carbazole derivatives, for example bis (carbazolyl) biphenyl, furthermore ketones (WO 2004/093207), Phosphine oxides, sulfones (WO 2005/003253), or triazine compounds such as Triazinyispirobifluoren (WO 2005/053055 and WO 2010/05306) included.

However, in materials where the triplet state is energetically high and thus close to the lowest excited singlet state, reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) may occur. Triplet excitons are thermally elevated to the singlet state, where they can contribute to fluorescence. This is called thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Thus, theoretically, up to 100% of the energy stored in the energetically excited states can be radiated in the form of fluorescent electroluminescence.

Organic molecules composed of donor and acceptor structures whose highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) overlap only slightly show low splits between the lowest excited singlet and the lowest triplet so that the TADF process can run efficiently. Therefore, such molecules are an efficient and inexpensive alternative to metal-organic phosphorescent emitter materials.

In the context of the present invention, it has been found that the compounds as described herein are outstandingly suitable for use in optoelectronic components, in particular as emitter or matrix materials. Some of the compounds described herein are characterized by a small energetic splitting between the lowest excited triplet and the lowest excited singlet, therefore in such materials a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) mechanism causes a backward transition from the triplet - Can be exploited to singlet system to convert part of the Tripiettzustände by thermal excitation in singlets. These singlet states then contribute to radiative recombination, which increases the internal quantum efficiency of an OLED beyond 25%. Furthermore, materials are proposed in which both the lowest excited singlet and the lowest excited triplet are at very high energies, but also the splitting between these two excitations is relatively large. Although these materials are not suitable as TADF emitters due to the large singlet to triplet splitting, they can be used as transport materials and matrix materials for TADF emitters. In particular, the high value of the lowest triplet excitation in such a matrix material prevents a triplet state of an embedded TADF emitter or embedded phosphorescent emitter from being able to transition to a higher energy non-radiative triplet state of the matrix material.

In a first aspect, therefore, the present invention is directed to a compound comprising at least one donor and at least one acceptor group in which the vertical transition energy of the lowest excited triplet returns to the electronic ground state for both the individual corresponding donor Moieküi and for the individual corresponding acceptor molecule is at least 2.2 eV.

In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to the use of a compound as described herein in an optoelectronic device, such as an organic electroluminescent device (OLED), an organic integrated circuit (CMC), an organic field effect transistor (O-FET) , an organic thin film transistor (O-TFT), an organic light emitting transistor (O-LET), an organic solar cell (O-SC), an organic optical detector, an organic photoreceptor, an organic field quenching device (O-FQD) , a light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) or an organic laser diode (O-laser) as emitter or matrix material.

Finally, the present invention is also directed to an optoelectronic device containing at least one compound as described herein.

"At least one" as used herein means 1 or more, ie 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more. "At least one donor group" thus means, for example, at least one type of donor - group, ie that is, one kind of donor group or a mixture of several different donor groups may be meant.

The present invention relates to metal-free compounds which can be used both as emitter and as matrix materials in optoelectronic and electronic components. Here, a compound as described herein includes at least one donor and at least one acceptor group in which the transition energy of the lowest excited triplet back to the ground electronic state for both the corresponding donor molecule and the corresponding acceptor molecule is at least 2 , 2 eV.

This opens the possibility that even the recombination of the internal charge transfer state between the donor and acceptor groups back to the electronic ground state is still at a very high transition energy.

The term "transition energy of the lowest excited triplet" refers to the energy that corresponds to the vertical transition energy of the transition from the lowest relaxed triplet configuration Ti back to the electronic ground state So in a molecule

Transition energy Evert (Ti ► So) from the minimum of the excited potential surface in the

Electron configuration Ti can be determined from the phosphorescence spectrum l (E) proportional to Ι (λ) / Ε ² . This phosphorescence spectrum l (E) is determined by the possible final states in the molecule and the density of states of the emitted photons, so that between the average energy of the measured intensity l (E) on the one hand and the mean energy of the scaled intensity l (E) / E ³ on the other hand must be distinguished. The mean energy value of the scaled intensity I (E) / E ³ corresponds exactly to the vertical transition energy from the minimum of the potential surface Ti of the emitter back to the potential area So. Therefore, this operational definition of the vertical transition energy E allows _V ert (Ti ► So) from a measured phosphorescence spectrum for a direct comparison with a calculated theoretical methods transition energy Ti ► So the minimum of the potential surface Ti of the emitter back to the electronic Ground state So, calculated, for example, with time-dependent density functional theory. In contrast, the transition from the minimum of the electronic ground state So to the lowest triplet state Ti is not visible due to its vanishing oscillator strength in absorption, so that a value calculated for the transition energy So ► Ti can not be experimentally verified with time-dependent density functional theory.

According to the above definition, from a phosphorescence spectrum, the transition energy Ti -►So and, correspondingly, from a fluorescence spectrum, the transition energy Si < ^■ So can be determined independently of line shape, broadening, and visibility of vibronic subbands. This transition energy directly gives the correct energy gap between the minimum of the Ti potential surface and the So potential surface of the molecule in the same Ti geometry, or corresponding to the correct energy distance between the minimum of the Si potential surface and the So potential surface in the same Si geometry. This definition of the transition energy is therefore another possible method for determining the energy of the triplet transition Ti - ^■ ♦ So clearly superior Either the Singulettübergangs Si ►, for example:

• the determination of the vibronic subband Eoo at the shortest wavelength or highest energy, because the visibility of the subbands may be limited by different pronounced broadening, cf. Endo et al. , Appl. Phys. Lett. 98, 083302 (2012)

• Calculations of the distance of the potential surfaces in the geometry of the ground state So, cf. Lee ef al. , Appl. Phys. Lett. 101, 093306 (2012)

• a tangent construction of the energy-dependent emission spectrum l (E), to interpolate to the high energy footpoint, cf. Hirata et al. , Nature Materials 124, 330 (2015)

A tangent construction of the wavelength-dependent emission spectrum Ι (λ) to interpolate to the base of the spectrum at low wavelength (i.e., high energy), cf. Tanaka et al. , Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 46, L1 17 (2007).

In molecules constructed from appropriately selected donor and acceptor groups, a backward transition from the triplet to the singlet system can be exploited via the mechanism of thermally activated delayed fluorescence due to a low resolution between the lowest excited triplet and the lowest excited singlet as described above. to convert part of the triplet states into singlets by thermal excitation. These singlet states then in turn contribute to the radiative recombination, whereby the internal quantum efficiency of OLEDs is correspondingly increased beyond the usual 25%. In one embodiment, the present invention is further directed to compounds in which the dihedral angle between the at least one donor and the at least one acceptor group in the electronic ground state is at least 70 °.

In the lowest charge transfer state between the donor and acceptor groups, the singlet to triplet splitting depends crucially on this dihedral angle between the two groups, so that a sufficiently large dihedral angle causes little splitting. Suitable methods for determining this dihedral angle are on the one hand the determination of the molecular geometry in a crystalline phase by X-ray diffraction or on the other hand the calculation of the geometry of the free molecule with sufficiently precise quantum chemical methods, for example density functional theory.

For the non-planar donor and acceptor groups of some of the compounds described herein, the reference level is defined as follows. The ligands, as described below, each bound via a nitrogen or phosphorus atom to a carbon atom of another part of the molecule. This carbon atom is part of an aromatic group of the other part of the molecule. The definition of the dihedral angle around the carbon-nitrogen (or carbon-phosphorus) bond to the ligand is based on the apparent level of the aromatic moiety of the moiety containing the carbon atom of the carbon-nitrogen (or carbon-phosphorus) bond, ie possibly differently oriented, planar parts of the molecule at a greater distance from this bond are not taken into account. In contrast, the nitrogen or phosphorus atom of the ligand lies in a non-aromatic and non-planar hexagon, which is continued by two phenyl groups, each sharing a carbon-carbon bond with the central hexagon. From the non-coplanar planes of the two aromatic phenyl groups, two bisecting planes can be defined. The reference plane for the ligand is defined as the bisecting plane that forms a smaller angle with the aromatic groups. For the example of phenothiazine dioxide, the angle between the aromatic phenyl planes and the reference plane defined above is about 13 °.

In various embodiments of the invention, the compounds of the invention exhibit thermally activated delayed fluorescence and are therefore suitable as TADF emitters.

In one embodiment, the present invention furthermore relates to a compound in which at least one donor group and / or acceptor group is a compound of the formula (I) or a compound of the formula (II):

(I) (II)

In the compounds of formula (I), R ¹¹ -R ^{18 are} each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 20 alkyl, aryl and bromine, or R ¹¹ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁸ are as defined above and R ¹³ and / or R ¹⁶ or R ² and / or R ¹⁷ denote / denote

which represents the point of attachment to another part of the molecule. Y ¹ is selected from the group consisting of NR ¹⁹ , P (0) R ¹⁹ and P (0) OR ¹⁹ . X ¹ is selected from the group consisting of P (O) R ¹⁹ , P (O) OR ¹⁹ , Si (C ₁ -C 20 alkyl) ₂ , Si (aryl) z and SO 2, wherein each R ¹⁹ is independently selected the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl and aryl, or R ⁹ denotes

which represents the point of attachment to another part of the molecule.

In the compounds of formula (II), R ^2, -R ^{28 are} each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 20 alkyl, aryl and bromine, or R ²¹ , R ²⁴ , R ²⁵ and R ²⁸ are as above defined and R ²³ and / or R ²⁶ or R ²² and / or R ²⁷ designate / denote

which represents the point of attachment to another part of the molecule. Y ² is selected from the group consisting of P (O) R ²⁹ , P (O) OR ²⁹ , Si (C ₁ -C 20 alkyl) ₂ , Si (aryl) ₂ and SO ₂ . X ² is selected from the group consisting of P (O) R ²⁹ , P (O) OR ²⁹ , Si (C ₁ -C 20 alkyl) ₂ , Si (aryl) ₂ and SO ₂ , wherein each R ²⁹ is independently selected the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl and aryl, or R ²⁹ denotes

which represents the point of attachment to another part of the molecule.

A "C 1 -C 20 alkyl" as used herein refers to a linear or branched carbon group comprising from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. By way of example, it is to be understood, by way of limitation, in particular, that groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, Propyl, isopropyl, c-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl and t-butyl groups, the above groups each being substituted or unsubstituted Substituents preferably selected from the group consisting of halogens and pseudohalogens (-CN, -N _3> -OCN, -NGO, -CNO, -SCN, -NCS, -SeCN). In various embodiments, the alkyl groups are unsubstituted. In various embodiments, the alkyl groups are C1-4 alkyl groups.

An "A yl" as used herein refers to either a monocyclic aromatic group such as phenyl or a fused (annealed, polynuclear) aromatic polycyclic group, for example, naphthalenyl or phenanthrenyl By way of example, without limitation, in particular groups understood which are selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, fluorenyl, pyrenyl, Dihydropyrenyi, chrysenyl, perylenyl , Fluoranthenyl, benzanthracenyl, benzphenanthrenyl, tetracenyl, pentacenyl and benzpyrenyl, wherein the above groups may each be substituted or unsubstituted, and when substituted, the substituents are preferably selected from the group consisting of halogens and pseudohalogens (-CN, -N _3, -OCN, -NGO, -CNO, -SCN, -NCS, -SeCN). In various embodiments, the aryl groups are unsubstituted. Particularly preferred is phenyl.

In one embodiment, in the compound as described herein, R ¹⁹ and / or R ^{29 are} each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and phenyl, or R ¹⁹ and / or R ²⁹ denote / denote

which represents the point of attachment to another part of the molecule.

In various embodiments, at least one donor and / or acceptor group is a compound selected from the group consisting of dihydroacridine, dimethylacridine, phenothiazine, or phenoxazine, wherein at least one further portion of the molecule is selected according to formulas (I) or (II) ,

In various embodiments, the compound as described herein, in addition to the at least one donor and at least one acceptor group, comprises at least one other donor or acceptor group in which the energy of the lowest excited triplet is at least 2.2 eV as defined above.

In various embodiments, the at least one other donor or acceptor group of the compound as described herein is a compound of formula (I) or (II) as defined above. In various embodiments, the compound is a compound of the formula (III) or a compound of the formula (IV):

A-B-A (III)

A-B (IV)

In the compounds of formula (III) or (IV), components A and B are each either a donor or an acceptor group, with at least one A or B, preferably all A, more preferably all A and B, each independently Compound having a vertical transition energy of the lowest excited triplet back to the electronic ground state of at least 2.2 eV, as defined above. In this case, for example, all A can be a donor and B can be an acceptor group or vice versa. In various embodiments, the dihedral angle between at least one donor and at least one acceptor group, ie, preferably between (each) A and B, is at least 70 °. A and B are each bonded to each other via covalent bonds, and the respective attachment points may be those described above in the context of formulas (I) and (II). A is preferably bonded via the group which corresponds to R ⁹ in formula (I), and B is preferably bonded via the group, R ¹³ and / or R ¹⁶ or R ¹² and / or R ¹⁷ in formula (I) or R ²³ and / or R ²⁶ or R ²² and / or R ²⁷ in formula (II).

In various embodiments, (i) component A is each independently a compound of formula (I) as defined above, each of which is attached to component B via R ⁹ . In such embodiments, component B may be a compound having a vertical transition energy of the lowest excited triplet back to the electronic ground state of at least 2.2 eV as defined above, especially selected from carbazole and carbazole containing compounds, dihydroacridine, dimethylacridine, phenothiazine and phenoxazine , more preferably dihydroacridine, dimethylacridine, phenothiazine and phenoxazine. It is understood that A is the respective radicals of the abovementioned compounds, ie dihydroacridinyl, etc. For the sake of simplicity, however, the name of the compound is also used as such, it being understood by the person skilled in the art that the corresponding Rest is meant. When B is carbazole or a carbazole-containing compound, it is preferred that the carbazole has a bulky pendant group, especially one that provides for the dihedral angle between each A and B to be at least 70 °. In various embodiments, the dihedral angle between at least one donor and at least one acceptor group, ie, preferably between (each) A and B, is at least 70 °. As already mentioned above, B in these embodiments is preferably bonded via the group of the abovementioned radicals which corresponds to R ¹³ and / or R ¹⁶ or R ¹² and / or R ¹⁷ in formula (I).

In various embodiments, component B is a compound of formula (I), as defined above, or a compound of formula (II), as defined above, each of which is above (a) R ³ and / or R ¹⁶ or (b) R ² and / or R ⁷ or (c) R ²³ and / or R ²⁶ or (d) R ²² and / or R ²⁷ is bonded to the components A. In this case, each component A can be selected independently from compounds with a vertical transition energy of the lowest excited triplet back into the electronic ground state of at least 2.2 eV, as defined above, in particular selected from carbazole and carbazole-containing compounds, dihydroacridine, dimethylacridine, phenothiazine and phenoxazine, more preferably from dihydroacridine, dimethylacridine, phenothiazine and phenoxazine. When A is carbazole or a carbazole-containing compound, it is preferred that the carbazole have a bulky pendant group, especially one which provides that the dihedral angle between each A and B is at least 70 °. In preferred embodiments, A is a compound of formula (I), as defined above, attached to component B via R ¹⁹ , respectively. In various embodiments, the dihedral angle between at least one donor and at least one acceptor group, ie preferably between (each) A and B, is at least 70 ^" . As mentioned above, A in these embodiments is preferably linked via the group of the aforementioned radicals, which R ⁹ in formula (I) corresponds.

In various embodiments of the invention, in the compounds of formula (III) and (IV) (1) all A are equal and B different from A or (2) all A and B are the same. In various embodiments, all A and / or B are selected from compounds of formula (I) as defined above. Y ^{1 is} preferably NR ¹⁹ and X ^{1 is} Si (C ¹ -C 20 alkyl) 2 or SOa, where alkyl is preferably methyl and / or R ^{19 is} preferably H, methyl or ethyl. In particularly preferred embodiments, B is a compound of formula (I) wherein Y ^{1 is} preferably NR ¹⁹ and X ¹ Si (C ¹ -C 20 alkyl). or SO 2, wherein alkyl is preferably methyl and / or R ^{19 is} preferably H, methyl or ethyl, and A or both A, which are preferably the same, are dihydroacridine, dimethylacridine, phenothiazine or phenoxazine. In the aforementioned embodiments, B is preferably bonded to the N atom of A via (a) R ¹³ and / or R ¹⁶ or (b) R ¹² and / or R ¹⁷ .

In various embodiments, the compound is selected from the group of compounds of the formulas (1 4

Trimer of three 5,10-dihydro-10,10-dimethylphenazasilin groups (1)

Trimer of a central 5-methyl-5, 10-dihydro-10, 10-dimethylphenazasilin group and two 5, 10

Dihydro-10,10-dimethylphenazasilin groups (2)

Trimer of a central 5-ethyl-5,10-dihydro-10,10-dimethylphenazasiline group and two 5, 10

Dihydro-10,10-dimethylphenazasilin groups (3)

Trimer of a central 5,10-dihydro-5,5,10,10-tetramethylsilanthrene group and two 5,10-dihydro-10,10-dimethyiphenazasilin groups (4)

Trimer of three phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide groups (5)

Trimer of a central 10-methylphenothiazine-5,5-dioxide group and two

Phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide groups (6)

Trimer of a central 10-ethylphenothiazine-5,5-dioxide group and two

Phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide groups (7)

Trimer of a central 10-ethylphenothiazine-5,5-dioxide group and two

Phenothiazine groups (8)

Trimer of a central 10-ethylphenothiazine-5,5-dioxide group and two

Dimethylacridine groups (10)

Trimer of one central phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide group and two 5,10-dihydro-10, 10-dimethylphenazasilin groups (1 1)

Trimer of a central methylphenothiazine-5,5-dioxide group and two 5,10-dihydro-10,10-dimethylphenazasiline groups (12)

Trimer of a central 10-ethylphenothiazine-5,5-dioxide group and two 5,10-dihydro-10,10-dimethylphenazasiline groups (13)

Trimer of a central thianthrene-5,5, 10, 10-tetraoxide group and two

Phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide groups (14)

In various embodiments of the invention, the compound of formula A-B or A-B-A, i. of the formula (II I) or (IV) free of carbazole groups or carbazole-derived groups having a carbazole skeleton, i. in particular substituted carbazoles and in particular those having sterically less demanding substituents.

In some embodiments of the invention, the compounds of the invention are not:

(1) a trimer of the formula (II I) of a central phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide as B, and two 9,9-dimethyl-9, 10-dihydroacridine (DMAC) groups as A, wherein the groups are each unsubstituted ;

(2) a dimer of formula (IV) of phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide as B and a 9,9-dimethyl-9, 10-dihydro-acridine (DMAC) group as A, the groups being each unsubstituted;

(3) a trimer of formula (II I) of a central phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide as B, and two carbazole groups as A, the groups being each unsubstituted;

(4) a dimer of formula (IV) of phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide as B and a carbazole group as A wherein the groups are each unsubstituted;

(5) 10,10-bis (4-tert-butyl-phenyl) -1 OH, 10'H (3,3 ') -biphenothiazine (t-BPBP);

(6) 10- (4-tert-butylphenyl) -10H-phenothiazine;

(7) 3-bromo-10- (4-tert-butylphenyl) -10H-phenothiazine;

(8) 10- (4-tert-butylphenyl) -3 - ((4,4,5,5-tetramethyl) - [1. 2,3] dioxyborolan-2-yl) -10-phenothiazine;

(9) 10 - (4-tert-butylphenyl) -10'H [10.3 '; 7'10'] terphenothiazine (t-BPTP);

(10) 3,7-Dibromo-10- (4-tert-butyl-phenyl) -10H-phenothiazine;

(1: 1) 7,7'-Diphenothiazyi-10:10 ^'-bis- (4-tert-butyl-phenyl) -10 H, ^10' H [3,3 '] Biphenothiazin (DP-t-BPBP);

(12) 7,7 ^{'-Dibromo-10,} ^10' -bis- (4-tert-butyl-phenyl) -10H, 10'H [3,3 '] Biphenothiazin;

(13) 1,4-diphenothiazinylbenzene; or

(14) 2,9,10-diphenothiazyl-anthracene.

The present invention further relates to the use of a compound as described herein in an optoelectronic device, for example an organic electroluminescent device (OLED), an organic integrated circuit (O-IC), an organic field effect transistor (O-FET), an organic Thin film transistor (O-TFT), an organic light emitting transistor (O-LET), an organic solar cell (O-SC), a organic optical detector, organic photoreceptor, organic field quenching device (O-FQD), light emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) or organic laser diode (O-laser) as emitter or matrix material.

Finally, an optoelectronic component is the subject of the present invention which contains at least one compound as described herein.

In various embodiments, the optoelectronic device is OSCs having a photoactive organic layer. This photoactive layer includes low molecular weight compounds, oligomers, polymers or mixtures thereof as organic coating materials. On this thin-film component, a preferably opaque or semitransparent electrode is applied as the cover contact layer.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the optoelectronic component is arranged on a flexibly designed substrate.

For the purposes of the present invention, a flexible substrate is understood to be a substrate which ensures deformability as a result of external forces. As a result, such flexible substrates are also suitable for mounting on curved surfaces. Flexible substrates include, but are not limited to, plastic or metal foils.

In various embodiments, the coating for producing an optoelectronic component by means of vacuum processing of the organic compounds of the invention takes place. In various embodiments, the compounds used according to the invention for the production of the optoelectronic component therefore have a low growth rate, preferably <300 ° C., more preferably <250 ° C., but not lower than 150 ° C. , In various embodiments, however, the evaporation temperature is at least 120 ° C. It is particularly advantageous if the organic compounds according to the invention are sublimable in a high vacuum.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that the coating for producing an optoelectronic component takes place by means of solvent processing of the compounds described herein. Due to the availability of commercial spray robots, this application method can advantageously be easily scaled to industrial roll-to-roll standards.

In various embodiments, the optoelectronic component in the sense of the present invention is a generic solar cell. Such an optoelectronic component usually has a layer structure, wherein the respectively lowest and uppermost layer are formed as an electrode and counter electrode for electrical contacting. In various embodiments, the optoelectronic device is mounted on a substrate, such as Glass, plastic (PET, etc.) or a metal band arranged. At least one organic layer comprising at least one organic compound is arranged between the substrate-near electrode and the counterelectrode. Organic compounds which may be used here are organic low molecular weight compounds, oligomers, polymers or mixtures. In various embodiments, the organic layer is a photoactive layer. In various embodiments of the photoactive layer, it may be formed, for example, in the form of a mixed layer of an electron donor and an electron acceptor material. Adjacent to the at least one photoactive layer can be arranged charge carrier transport layers. Depending on their configuration, these may preferably transport electrons (= negative charges) or holes (= positive charges) from or to the respective electrodes. In various embodiments, the optoelectronic component is designed as a tandem or multiple component. In this case, at least two optoelectronic components are deposited as a layer system one above the other. In various embodiments, additional layers for coating or encapsulating the component or other components may be connected to or under the contact and base layers.

In one embodiment of the invention, the organic layer is formed as one or more thin layers of vacuum-processed low molecular weight compounds or organic polymers. The prior art discloses a large number of vacuum-processed low molecular weight compounds and polymers based optoelectronic components (Walzer et al., Chemical Reviews 2007, 107 (4), 1233-1271, Peumans et al., J. Appl. Phys , 93 (7), 3693-3722).

Preferably, the organic layer is deposited on a substrate using vacuum processable compounds of the inventive compounds described herein. In an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the organic layer is wet-chemically deposited on a substrate using solutions.

Typical examples of optoelectronic devices containing compounds of the invention as described above are also provided. In such embodiments, in various embodiments, the compound of the invention is selected from the group consisting of compounds (1) - (14) as defined above.

In various other embodiments of the present invention, the optoelectronic device containing at least one compound as described herein is an organic light emitting diode (OLED).

The OLEDs according to the invention are basically composed of several layers, for example:

1. anode

2nd hole conductor layer

3. Blocking layer for electrons / excitons 4. Light-emitting layer

5. Blocking layer for holes / excitons

6. Electron conductor layer

7. cathode

It is also possible from the above-mentioned structure different layer sequences, which are known in the art. For example, it is possible that the OLED does not have all of the said layers, for example, an OLED having the layers (1) (anode), (4) (light-emitting layer), and (7) (cathode) is also suitable the layers (2) hole conductor layer, (3) block layer for electrons / excitons, (5) block layer for holes / excitons and (6) electron conductor layer are taken over by the adjacent layers. OLEDs comprising layers (1), (2), (4) and (7) or layers (1), (4), (5), (6) and (7) are also suitable. Furthermore, the OLEDs between the anode (1) and the hole conductor layer (2) may have a block layer for electrons / excitons.

The compounds as described herein may find use as emitter or matrix materials in the light emitting layer.

The compounds as described herein may be present as the sole emitter and / or matrix material in the light-emitting layer, without further additives. However, it is also possible that, in addition to the compounds used according to the invention, as described herein, further compounds are present in the light-emitting layer. For example, one or more fluorescent dyes may be present to alter the emission color of the emitter molecule present. Furthermore, a diluent material can be used. This diluent material may be a polymer, for example, poly (N-vinylcarbazole) or polysilane. However, the diluent material may also be a small molecule, for example 4,4'-N, N'-dicarbazolebiphenyl (CBP = CDP) or tertiary aromatic amines.

The individual of the abovementioned layers of the OLED can in turn be composed of 2 or more layers. For example, the hole-transporting layer may be composed of a layer into which holes are injected from the electrode and a layer that transports the holes away from the hole-injecting layer into the light-emitting layer. The electron-transporting layer may also consist of several layers, for example a layer in which electrons are injected through the electrode and a layer which receives electrons from the electron-injecting layer and transports them into the light-emitting layer. These mentioned layers are each selected according to factors such as energy level, temperature resistance and charge carrier mobility, as well as the energy difference of said layers with the organic layers or the metal electrodes. The person skilled in the art is able to choose the structure of the OLEDs in such a way that it is optimally adapted to the organic compounds used according to the invention as emitter substances. To obtain particularly efficient OLEDs, the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) of the hole-transporting layer should be aligned with the work function of the anode and the LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) of the electron-transporting layer should be aligned with the work function of the cathode.

The anode (1) is an electrode that provides positive charge carriers. For example, it may be constructed of materials including a metal, a mixture of various metals, a metal alloy, a metal oxide, or a mixture of various metal oxides. Alternatively, the anode may be a conductive polymer. Suitable metals include the metals of groups 11, 4 and 5 of the Periodic Table of the Elements and the transition metals of groups 9 and 10. When the anode is to be transparent, mixed metal oxides of groups 12, 13 and 14 of the Periodic Table of the Elements are generally used , for example indium tin oxide (ITO). It is also possible that the anode (1) contains an organic material, for example polyaniline, as described, for example, in Nature, Vol. 357, pages 477 to 479 (June 1, 1992). At least either the anode or the cathode should be at least partially transparent in order to be able to decouple the emitted light. The material used for the anode (1) is preferably ITO.

Suitable hole conductor materials for the layer (2) of the OLEDs according to the invention are disclosed, for example, in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th Edition, Vol. 18, pages 837 to 860, 1996. Both hole transporting molecules and polymers can be used as hole transport material. Commonly used hole transporting molecules are, for example, selected from the group consisting of tris- [N- (1-naphthyl) -N- (phenylamino)] triphenylamine (1-naphDATA), 4,4'-bis [N- (1-naphthyl ) -N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl (o NPD), N, N'-diphenyl-N, N'-bis (3-methylphenylH1, 1'-biphenylH, 4'-diamine (TPD), 1, 1-bis [(di-4-tolyamino) phenyl] cyclohexane (TAPC), N, N'-bis (4-methylphenyl) -N, N'-bis (4-ethylphenyl) - [1, 1 '- (3,3 '- dimethyl) biphenyl] -4,4'-diamine (ETPD), tetrakis (3-methylphenyl) -N, N, N', N'-2,5-phenylenediamine (PDA), a-phenyl-4- N, N-diphenylaminostyrene (TPS), p- (diethylamino) -benzaldehyde diphenylhydrazone (DEH), triphenylamine (TPA), bis [4- (N, N-diethylamino) -2-methylphenyl) (4-methylphenyl) methane ( MPMP), 1-phenyl-3- [p- (diethylamino) styryl] -5- [p- (diethylamino) phenyl] pyrazoline (PPR or DEASP), 1,2-trans-bis (9H-carbazol-9-yl ) cyclobutane (DCZB), N, _N> N ', N'-tetrakis (4-methylphenylH1, 1 ^L _biphenylH> 4'-diamine (TTB), 4,4', 4 "-tris (N, N-diphenylamino) triphenylamine (TDTA), Porphy and phthalocyanines such as copper phthalocyanines. Usually used hole-transporting polymers are for example selected from the group consisting of polyvinylcarbazoles, (phenylmethyl) polysilanes and polyanilines. It is also possible to obtain hole transporting polymers by doping hole transporting molecules into polymers such as polystyrene and polycarbonate. Suitable hole-transporting molecules are the molecules already mentioned above.

Furthermore, in various embodiments, carbene complexes can be used as hole conductor materials, wherein the band gap of the at least one hole conductor material is generally greater than the band gap of the emitter material used. In the context of the present application, band gap is to be understood as the triplet energy. Suitable carbene complexes are, for example Carbene complexes, as described in WO 2005/019373 A2, WO 2006/056418 A2 and WO 2005/1 13704 and in the older, not previously published European applications EP 061 12228.9 and EP 061 12198.4.

The light-emitting layer (4) contains at least one emitter material. In principle, it may be a fluorescence or phosphorescence emitter, suitable emitter materials being known to the person skilled in the art. Preferably, the at least one emitter material is a material that enables thermally activated delayed fluorescence. At least one of the emitter materials contained in the light-emitting layer (4) is a compound as described herein. In addition, at least one compound as described herein may additionally be used as a matrix material. Alternatively, commonly used matrix materials are known to the person skilled in the art in the prior art. Exemplary matrix materials are selected from the classes of the oligoarylenes (e.g., 2, 2 ', 7,7'-tetraphenylspirobifluorene or dinaphthylanthracene), especially the oligoarylenes containing fused aromatic groups, e.g. Anthracene, benzanthracene, benzphenanthrene, phenanthrene, tetracene, coronene, chrysene, fluorene, spiro-fluorene, perylene, phthaloperylene, naphthaloperylene, decacyclene, rubrene, oligoarylenevinylenes (eg DPVBi = 4,4'-bis (2,2-diphenylethenyl) -1, r-biphenyl) or spiro-DPVBi according to EP 676461), or the polypodal metal complexes, in particular metal complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline, for example Alq- <(= aluminum (III) tris (8-hydroxyquinoline)) or bis (2-methyl-8-quinolinolato) -4- (phenylphenolinolato) aluminum. In general, suitable matrix materials are known to those skilled in the art, e.g. by Organic Light-Emitting Materials and Devices (Optica! Science and Engineering Series Ed: Z. Li, H. Meng, CRC Press Inc., 2006).

The block layer for holes / excitons (5) may typically comprise hole blocker materials used in OLEDs, such as 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1, 10-phenanthroline (Bathocu proin, (BCP)), bis (2-methyl) 8-quinolinato) -4-phenylphenylatoaluminum (III) (BAIq), phenothiazine SS-dioxide derivatives and 1,3,5-tris (N-phenyl-2-benzylimidazole) benzene (TPBI), wherein TPBI and BAIq are also suitable as electron-conducting materials. In a further embodiment, compounds containing aromatic or heteroaromatic groups containing carbonyl groups via groups as disclosed in WO2006 / 100298 can be used as blocking layer for holes / excitons (5) or as matrix materials in the light-emitting layer (4). be used.

In various embodiments, the present invention relates to an OLED according to the invention comprising the layers (1) anode, (2) hole conductor layer, (3) block layer for electrons / excitons (4) light-emitting layer, (5) hole / exciton clutter layer, (6) electron conductor layer and (7) cathode, and optionally further layers, wherein the light-emitting layer (4) contains at least one compound of the formula (I).

Suitable electron donor materials for layer (6) of the inventive OLEDs include chelated metals such as tris (8-quinolinolato) aluminum (Alq), bis (2-methyl-8-quinolinato) -4-phenylphenylatoaluminum (III ) (BAIq), phenanthroline-based compounds such as 2.9- Dimethyi-4,7-diphenyi-1,10-phenanthroline (DDPA = BCP) or 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (DPA) and azole compounds such as 2- (4-biphenylyl) -5- (4-t -butylphenyl) -1, 3,4-oxadiazole (PBD) and 3- (4-biphenylyl) -4-phenyl-5- (4-t-butylphenyl) -1, 2,4-triazole (TAZ) and 2, 2 ', 2 "- (1, 3,5-phenylene) tris [1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazole] (TPBI) The layer (5) can serve both to facilitate the electron transport and as a buffer layer or as In order to avoid quenching of the exciton at the interfaces of the layers of the OLED, the layer (5) preferably enhances the mobility of the electrons and reduces quenching of the exciton.Preferably suitable electron conductor materials are TPBI and BAlq.

Of the materials mentioned above as hole conductor materials and electron conductor materials, some may fulfill several functions. For example, some of the electron-conducting materials are simultaneously hole-blocking materials if they have a deep HOMO. These can be z. B. in the block layer for holes / excitons (5) are used. However, it is also possible that the function as hole / exciton blocker of the layer (6) is taken over, so that the layer (5) may be omitted.

The charge transport layers can also be electronically doped in order to improve the transport properties of the materials used, on the one hand to make the layer thicknesses more generous (avoidance of pinholes / short circuits) and, on the other hand, to minimize the operating voltage of the component. For example, the hole conductor materials can be doped with electron acceptors, for example phthalocyanines or arylamines such as TPD or TDTA can be doped with tetrafluorotetracyanchinodimethane (F4-TCNQ). The electron conductor materials can be doped with, for example, alkali metals, for example Alqs with lithium. The electronic doping is known to the person skilled in the art and described, for example, in W. Gao, A. Kahn, J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 94, no. 1, 1 July 2003 (p-doped organic layers); Werner, F. Li, K. Harada, M. Pfeiffer, T. Fritz, K. Leo. Appl. Phys. Lett., Vol. 82, no. 25, 23 June 2003 and Pfeiffer et al., Organic Electronics 2003, 4, 89-103.

The cathode (7) is an electrode which serves to introduce electrons or negative charge carriers. Suitable materials for the cathode are selected from the group consisting of alkali metals of group Ia, for example Li, Cs, alkaline earth metals of group IIa, for example calcium, barium or magnesium, metals of group IIb of the Periodic Table of the Elements (old ILJPAC version) comprising the lanthanides and actinides, for example samarium. Furthermore, metals such as aluminum or indium, as well as combinations of all the metals mentioned can be used. Furthermore, lithium-containing organometallic compounds or LiF can be applied between the organic layer and the cathode to reduce the operating voltage.

The OLED according to the present invention may additionally contain further layers which are known to the person skilled in the art. For example, a layer can be applied between the layer (2) and the light-emitting layer (4), which facilitates the transport of the positive charge and / or the band gap of the layers adapts to each other. Alternatively, this further layer can serve as a protective layer. In an analogous manner, additional layers may be present between the light-emitting layer (4) and the layer (5) to facilitate the transport of the negative charge and / or to match the band gap between the layers. Alternatively, this layer can serve as a protective layer.

In various embodiments, in addition to the layers (1) to (7), the OLED according to the invention contains at least one of the further layers mentioned below:

A hole injection layer between the anode (1) and the hole transporting layer (2); an electron injection layer between the electron-transpo-regulating layer (6) and the cathode

(7).

The person skilled in the art knows how to select suitable materials (for example based on electrochemical investigations). Suitable materials for the individual layers are known to those skilled in the art and e.g. in WO 00/70655.

Furthermore, it is possible that some or all of the layers used in the OLED according to the invention are surface-treated in order to increase the efficiency of the charge carrier transport. The selection of the materials for each of said layers is preferably determined by obtaining an OLED having a high efficiency and lifetime.

The preparation of the OLEDs according to the invention can be carried out by methods known to the person skilled in the art. In general, the inventive OLED is produced by sequential vapor deposition (vapor deposition) of the individual layers onto a suitable substrate. Suitable substrates are for example glass, inorganic semiconductors or polymer films. For vapor deposition, conventional techniques can be used such as thermal evaporation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD) and others. In an alternative method, the organic layers of the OLED can be applied from solutions or dispersions in suitable solvents using coating techniques known to those skilled in the art.

In general, the various layers have the following thicknesses: anode (1) 50 to 500 nm, preferably 100 to 200 nm; Hole-conductive layer (2) 5 to 100 nm, preferably 20 to 80 nm, blocking layer for electrons / excitons (3) 2 to 100 nm, preferably 5 to 50 nm Light-emitting layer (4) 1 to 100 nm, preferably 10 to 80 nm, block layer for holes / excitons (5) 2 to 100 nm, preferably 5 to 50 nm, electron-conducting layer (6) 5 to 100 nm, preferably 20 to 80 nm, cathode (7) 20 to 1000 nm, preferably 30 up to 500 nm. The relative position of the recombination zone of holes and electrons in the OLED according to the invention in relation to the cathode and thus the emission spectrum of the OLED can be influenced inter alia by the relative thickness of each layer. That is, the thickness of the electron transport layer should preferably be selected so that the location of the Recombination zone is tuned to the optical resonator property of the diode and thus to the emission wavelength of the emitter. The ratio of the layer thicknesses of the individual layers in the OLED depends on the materials used. The layer thicknesses of optionally used additional layers are known to the person skilled in the art. It is possible that the electron-conducting layer and / or the hole-conducting layer have larger thicknesses than the indicated layer thicknesses when they are electrically doped.

According to the invention, the light-emitting layer and / or at least one of the further layers optionally present in the OLED according to the invention contains at least one compound as described herein. While the at least one compound as described herein is present in the light emitting layer as emitter and / or matrix material, the at least one compound as described herein may be present in the at least one further layer of the OLED of the invention either alone or together with at least one of further suitable for the corresponding layers above materials are used. It is also possible that the light emitting layer contains, besides the compound as described herein, one or more other emitter and / or matrix materials.

The efficiency of the OLEDs of the invention may be e.g. be improved by optimizing the individual layers. For example, highly efficient cathodes such as Ca or Ba, optionally in combination with an intermediate layer of LiF, can be used. Shaped substrates and new hole-transporting materials that bring about a reduction in the operating voltage or an increase in quantum efficiency are also usable in the OLEDs according to the invention. Furthermore, additional layers may be present in the OLEDs to adjust the energy levels of the various layers and to facilitate electroluminescence.

The OLEDs according to the invention can be used in all devices in which electroluminescence is useful. Suitable devices are preferably selected from stationary and mobile screens and lighting units. Stationary screens are e.g. Screens of computers, televisions, screens in printers, kitchen appliances and billboards, lights and signboards. Mobile screens are e.g. Screens in cell phones, laptops, digital cameras, vehicles, and destination displays on buses and trains.

Furthermore, the compounds as described herein can be used in different embodiments in inverse structure OLEDs. The construction of inverse OLEDs and the materials usually used therein are known to the person skilled in the art.

All documents cited are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Other embodiments can be found in the following examples, without the invention being limited to these. It is to be understood and intended that all embodiments disclosed herein in connection with the described compounds are equally applicable to the described uses and methods, and vice versa. Such embodiments are therefore also within the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES

I.) Synthesis Examples

Bromination of phenothiazine:

5.0 g (0.025 mol) of phenothiazine were suspended in 200 ml of glacial acetic acid, and the mixture was deoxygenated by introducing Ar through a cannula for 20 minutes. Then, 3.3 ml of Br 2 (0.063 mol) in 200 ml of glacial acetic acid was slowly added dropwise over one hour and the dark mixture was stirred for 16 hours. Upon addition of 6.3 g (0.050 mol) of Na 2 SCb, the reaction mixture solidified. The addition of a little water resulted in a high-viscosity violet mass, which lightened within 3 h. After adding 4.11 g (0.062 mol) of KOH under ice-cooling, the mixture was poured onto 500 ml of ice-water. The greenish precipitate was filtered off with suction and washed with a little cold 2-propanol. The precipitate was hot digested five times in 200 ml of 2-propanol and dissolved. From 2-propanol, needles fell in the first fraction and fine leaves in the following. After sucking out the crystals and concentrating the mother liquor, there were obtained 7.54 g (85%) of 3,7-dibromophenothiazine in the form of green crystals.

Ή-NMR (500 MHz, d-DMSO): δ (ppm) 6.58 (d, J = 8, 1 Hz, 2H), 7, 10 - 7, 15 (m, 4H), 8.84 (s , 1 H). 3C-NMR (125 MHz, d-DMSO): δ 1 12.7; 1 16.0; 1 18.2; 128, 1; 130.3; 140.8. MS (FAB +) m / z (%): 356.9 (100, M +). N-alkane derivative of 3,7-dibromophenothiazine

10 g (0.028 mol) of 3,7-dibromophenothiazine and 5.24 g (0.033 mol) of ethyl iodide were dissolved in 100 ml of DMF. 3.36 g (0.14 mol) of NaH (5.6 g of a 60% dispersion in mineral oil) was added gradually and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into ice-water and filtered. The resulting solid was dissolved in ethyl acetate, and the solution was washed with saturated brine and dried over magnesium sulfate. After removing the solvent by rotary evaporation under reduced pressure, 9.9 g (92%) of the waxy material 3,7-dibromo-10-ethylphenothiazine was obtained.

Ή NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ 1, 24 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H), 3.85 (q, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H), 6.93 (d, J = 8 , 6Hz, 2H), 7.32-7.36 (m, 4H).

¹³ C-NMR (125 MHz, d-DMSO): δ 12.3; 41, 33; 1 14; 1 17.2; 124.8; 128.9; 130.4; 143.4.

Oxidation of 3,7-dibromo-10-ethylphenothiazine to 3,7-dibromo-10-ethylphenothiazine-5,5-dioxide 2 g (7.8 mmol) of 3,7-dibromo-10-ethylphenothiazine were dissolved in 40 ml of dichloromethane and 5 , 4 g (31.3 mmol) of 3-chloroperbenzoic acid were added gradually. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The precipitated white solid was washed with dichloromethane. The Filtrate and the wash were concentrated in vacuo to dryness. The obtained white crystalline solid was washed with methanol to remove the remaining 3-chloroperbenzoic acid. After drying, 1.25 g (38%) of the white crystalline material 3,7-dibromo-10-ethylphenothiazine-5,5-dioxide was obtained.

Ή NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ (ppm) 8, 14 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 2H), 7.64 (dd, J = 9 Hz, J = 2.4 Hz, 2H), 7 , 19 (t. = 4.6 Hz. 2H). 4.16 (q.J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.47 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H).

^{! 3} C-NMR (125 MHz, d-DMSO): δ (ppm) 12.41; 43.49; 1 14,41; 1 17.59; 125.15; 126.28; 136.28; 139, 19.

MS (ESI) m / z: 356.9 ([M '] + 1).

Synthesis of the unoxidized phenothiazine trimer

In a two-necked flask with 3,7-dibromo-10-ethylphenothiazine (2.51 g, 6.55 mmol), phenothiazine (2.87 g, 14.42 mmol), Pd2 (dba) -j (0.18 g, 0.197 mmol) and sodium tert-butoxide (0.53 g, 5.5 mmol) was added a solution of tri-tert-butylphosphine in o-xylene [1 M] (0.32 ml) and 40 ml of 1 , 4-dioxane introduced under an argon atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at 95 C for 12 hours. After cooling, the solvent was removed and the remaining solid dispersed in an ultrasonic water bath and filtered. The obtained precipitate was washed with methanol and diethyl ether. The resulting solid was purified by column chromatography with dichloromethane as eluent. There were obtained 2.84 g (69%) of yellowish crystals.

Ή NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ 1, 43 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H), 4.07 (q, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 5.76 (s, 2H), 6.26 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 6.85 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 4H), 6.96 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 4H), 7, 05 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 4H), 7.32-7.23 (m,

6H).

¹³ C-NMR (125 MHz, d-DMSO): δ 12.4; 54.9; 1 15; 1 17.3; 1 19, 1; 122.7; 124.6; 126.6; 127.4; 128.9; 130.0; 133.4; 134.7; 143.6.

MS (ESI) m / z: 622 ([M ⁺ ] +1).

Synthesis of the phenothiazine dioxide trimer

2 g (3.22 mmol) of the above-described phenothiazine trimer dissolved in 50 ml of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and 1 1, 1 g (64 mmol) of 3-chloroperbenzoic acid were added gradually into the reaction vessel. The reaction mixture was stirred at 90 C overnight. The white precipitate of the product formed in the reaction was filtered and washed in methanol and acetone. After drying, 1.67 g (73%) of white crystalline phenothiazine dioxide trimer was obtained.

¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CDC) δ 1, 71 (t, J = 7 Hz, 3H), 4.46 (q, J = 7 Hz, 2H), 6.62 (d, J = 8.4 Hz , 4H), 7.28-7.20 (m, 4H), 7.38 (ddd, J = 8.7, 7.3, 1.6Hz, 4H), 7.76-7.62 (m , 4H), 8, 14 (dd, J = 7.9, 1.5 Hz, 4H), 8.23 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 2H). ¹³ C-NMR (75 MHz, d-DMSO): δ 17.7; 49.4; 117.0; 1 19.4; 122.7; 123.4; 123.7; 126.5; 133.0; 133.2; 135.9; 140.6; 140.8.

MS (ESI) m / z: 718 ([M ⁺ j + 1).

Synthesis of the partially oxidized trimer phenothiazine phenothiazine alkyl phenothiazine

3,7-dibromo-10-ethylphenothiazine-5,5-dioxide (2 g, 4.8 mmol), phenothiazine (2, 1 g, 10.5 mmol), Pd 2 (dba) s (0.132 mg, 0.144 mmol) and sodium tert-butoxide (1.06 g, 11 mmol) were added to a solution of tri-tert-butylphosphine [1 M] (0.24 ml) and 45 ml of dioxane under an argon atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at 95 C for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and added to water. After sonication, the white precipitate was filtered and washed with methanol. This material was purified by column chromatography in trichloromethane as eluent. After drying, 1.62 g (52%) of a white powder was obtained.

Ή NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ (ppm) 8.01 (d, J = 9.2 Hz, 2H), 7.96 (d, J = 2.6 Hz, 2H), 7.88 (dd, J = 9, 1, 2.6 Hz, 2H), 7.15 (dd, J = 7.6, 1.5 Hz, 4H), 7.03-6.99 (m, 4H), 6.93 (td, J = 7.5, 1, 2 Hz, 4H), 6.31 (dd, J = 8.2, 1, 1 Hz, 4H), 4.53 (q, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H), 1, 55 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H).

¹³ C-NMR (125 MHz, d-DMSO): δ (ppm) 12.22; 43, 14; 1 16.93; 120.09; 120.68; 123.22; 123.37; 124, 18; 127.04; 127.55; 134.7; 135.75; 139, 13; 143.34.

MS (ESI) m / z: 654 ([M ⁺ ] +1).

Methyl 2-aminobenzoate

In a round bottomed flask 2- (phenylamino) benzoic acid (20 g, 0.14 mol) was dissolved in methanol and stirred in an ice bath for 10 minutes. At 0 ° C, SOC (42 mL, 0584 mol) was added dropwise and stirred at reflux (90 ° C) for 12 hours. Thereafter, the reaction mixture was washed with distilled water, and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried with MgSO 4 and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The product was purified by column chromatography with ethyl acetate. The yield was 17.5 g of a partially crystalline substance.

Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDC) δ (ppm): 7.79-7.75 (m, 1H), 7.21-7.14 (m, 1H), 6.59-6.52 (m, 2H), 5.64 (s, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H).

FT-IR (ATR), v (cm ¹ ): 3481, 3371, 1691, 1615, 1578, 1455, 1435, 1294, 1245, 750. Methyl 2- (phenylamino) benzoate

In a two-necked round bottomed flask were added methyl 2-aminobenzoate (15g, 0.10mol), bromobenzene (15.6g, 0.10mol), Pd (OAc) ₂ , (0.45g, 2.02mmol). , K 2 CO 3 (27 g, 0.202 mol), BINAP (1.25 g, 2.02 mmol) and 50 mL toluene under argon. The mixture was stirred at 70 C overnight. After cooling the inorganic residues were filtered off and the solution was evaporated. The product was purified by column chromatography with hexane / ethyl acetate (10/1) and then dried. The yield was 10.42 g (46%) of a white powder.

Ή NMR (500 MHz, CDC) δ (ppm) 9.5 (s, 1H), 7.98 (dd, J = 8 Hz, J = 1, 3 Hz, 1H), 7.38-7, 24 (m, 6H),

7.10 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (ddd, J = 8, 1, 6.9, 1, 3 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (s, 3H) ,

FT-IR (ATR), v (cm ¹ ): 3319, 2949, 1686, 1591, 1515, 1453, 1258, 747. 2- (2-anilinophenvl) propan-2-ol

Into a heated Schlenk flask was added methyl 2- (phenylamino) benzoate (5.89 g, 0.026 mol) in 100 mL of pure THF under nitrogen and cooled to 0 ° C. Further, 40 ml (0.12 mol) of a 3M MeMgBr solution in diethyl ether was added dropwise and stirred for 15 hours under reflux in a nitrogen atmosphere. Then, the reaction mixture was prepared with saturated ammonium chloride solution, the organic phase separated, washed with aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over MgSCk and concentrated in a rotary evaporator under reduced pressure. The product obtained was used for the following synthetic steps, without additional purification.

FT-IR (ATR), v (cm ⁵ ): 3351, 2976, 1589, 1513, 1496, 1454, 1311, 745.

9.9-Dimeth-1-OH-acridine

To the previously obtained oily substance was added 6 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid and then the mixture was stirred for one hour under nitrogen at room temperature. After dilution with water (200 ml), aqueous ammonia (10% (v / v)) was added to pH7. This mixture was added to water (50 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (150 ml). The purified organic phase was rinsed with saturated sodium carbonate, brine and water, with MgSO 4. dried and concentrated in a rotary evaporator under reduced pressure. The remaining residue was purified by column chromatography with chloroform / isohexane (1/1). The yield was 3.13 g of yellowish crystals.

Ή NMR (500 MHz, CDCb) δ (ppm) 7.38-7.24 (m, 6H), 7, 10 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (ddd, J = 8, 1, 6.9, 1, 3 Hz, 1 H), 1, 6 (s, 3H).

3,7-bis (9,9-dimethvlacridin-10-yl) -10-ethvl-phenothiazine

Into a two-necked round bottom flask were added 3,7-dibromo-10-ethyl-phenothiazine (0.997 g, 2.6 mmol), 9,9-dimethyl-1-OH-acridine (1, 09 g, 5.21 mmol), Pd ₂ (dba) ₃ , (0.071 g, 0.078 mmol), sodium t-butoxide (0.575 g). The flask was filled with argon and a 1 M solution of tri-t-butylphosphine in o-xylene (0.12 ml) and 20 ml of dioxane was added. The mixture was then stirred at 95 C for 24 hours. After cooling, the solvent was removed and the remaining solid substance was thoroughly dispersed in water in an ultrasonic bath and filtered off. The resulting precipitate was rinsed with methanol and diethyl ether. The solid product thus obtained was then transferred over Column chromatography with dichloromethane. The yield was 0.7 g (42%) of yellowish crystals.

MS (ESI) m / z: 642 ([M ⁺ j + 1).

3,7-bis (9,9-dimethylacridine-10-VI) -10-ethylphenothiazine 5,5-dioxide

To a two-necked round bottom flask was added 3,7-dibromo-10-ethyl-phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide (1.36 g, 3.25 mmol), 9,9-dimethyl-1-OH-acridine (1, 5 g, 7 , 17 mmol), Pd ₂ (dba) ₃ , (0.09 g, 0.097 mmol), and sodium / -butoxide (0.72 g, 7.45 mmol). The flask was filled with argon and then a 1 M solution of tri-t-butyliphosphine in o-xylene (0.16 ml) and 40 ml of dioxane was added. The mixture was then stirred at 95 ° C for 12 hours. After cooling, the solvent was removed and the remaining solid substance was thoroughly dispersed in water in an ultrasonic bath and filtered off. The resulting precipitate was then rinsed with methanol and acetone. The crude product was dried to yield 1.44 g (66%) of white crystals.

Ή NMR (500 MHz, DMF) δ (ppm) 8.25 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 2H), 8.07 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 2H), 7.94 (dd, J = 9.0, 2.4 Hz, 2H), 7.58 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 4H), 7.09-7.03 (m, 4H), 6.99 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 4H), 6.30 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 4H), 4.74 (q, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 0.87 (t, J = 7 Hz, 3H).

II.) Spectroscopic investigations

As an example of phosphorescence spectra, Figure 1 shows the phosphorescence spectra of the three substances phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide (PTO, taken at a temperature of T = 293 K), phenothiazine (PT, at T = 80 K), and 9,9-dimethyl -9,10-dihydroacridine (DMAC, at T = 80 K), taken on thin polystyrene films, each containing 2% of these materials. Compared with solutions in low-polarity solvents, these phosphorescence spectra are already somewhat red-shifted. Defined herein as vertical transition energies E _V ert (Ti -> ^■ Sun) amount to 2.25 eV (PTO), 2.21 eV (PT) and 2.21 eV (DMAC). The tangent at half height of the edge at short wavelengths shown for PT gives an interpolated base point of the spectrum at 466 nm or 2.66 eV.

For line shapes similar to Figure 1, the threshold of 2.2 eV corresponds to the vertical

Transition energy Evert (Ti ► So) an onset of phosporescence at the upper energetic

Flank at about 2.65 eV, or at about 0.45 eV higher energy. Other possible definitions of the phosphorescence energy, such as the maximum of the wavelength-dependent intensity Ι (λ) or the maximum of the energy-dependent intensity I (E), lead to energy values lying between Evert and the input edge at high energy (short wavelength).

The spectra of selected examples from the class of substances as defined herein are shown in Figures 2-5. Figure 2 shows the prompt and delayed fluorescence of a trimer of a central phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide (PTO) and two phenothiazine (PT) groups, abbreviated as PT-PTO-PT, embedded in a concentration of 2% in one thin film of polystyrene. The excitation was carried out over a short light pulse of 120 ps duration, at a wavelength of 335 nm. The prompt fluorescence was integrated by a delay of 2.25 ns over a period of 1.7 ns, the delayed fluorescence from a delay of 1 second on for a period of 80 ps.

Figure 3 shows the prompt and delayed fluorescence of a trimer of a central phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide, as well as two dimethylacridine (DMAC) groups, abbreviated as DMAC-PTO-DMAC, embedded in a concentration of 2% in a thin film polystyrene. Excitation conditions and time window as in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows the time evolution of the fluorescence intensity of the trimer PT-PTO-PT embedded in a concentration of 2% in a thin film of polystyrene. The different temporal dynamics of the prompt and the delayed fluorescence prove the presence of delayed delayed thermally activated fluorescence (TADF). Excitation conditions as in Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows the time evolution of the fluorescence intensity of the trimer D AC-PTO-DMAC embedded in a concentration of 2% in a thin film of polystyrene. The different temporal dynamics of the prompt and the delayed fluorescence prove the presence of delayed delayed thermally activated fluorescence (TADF). Excitation conditions as in Figure 2.

Claims

A compound comprising at least one donor and at least one acceptor group in which the vertical transition energy of the lowest excited triplet back to the electronic ground state for both the single corresponding donor molecule and for the single corresponding acceptor molecule at least 2, 2 eV and wherein the dihedral angle between the at least one donor and the at least one acceptor group is at least 70 °.

2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the at least one donor and / or acceptor group is a compound of formula (I) or a compound of formula (I):

(I) (I i) where, in the compounds of the formula (I),

R ¹ -R ^{18 are} each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C ¹ -C 20 alkyl, aryl and bromine, or R ¹¹ , R ¹⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁸ are as defined above and R ³ and / or R ¹⁶ or R ¹² and / or R ⁷ designated,

which represents the point of attachment to another part of the molecule;

Y ^{1 is} selected from the group consisting of NR ¹⁹ , P (0) R ¹⁹ and P (0) OR ¹⁹ and

X ^{1 is} selected from the group consisting of P (O) R ¹⁹ , P (O) OR ¹⁹ , Si (C ₁ -C 20 alkyl) ₂ , Si (aryl) ₂ and SO ₂ ;

wherein each R ⁹ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, -C 20 alkyl and aryl, or R ⁹ denotes

which represents the point of attachment to another part of the molecule;

and wherein, in the compounds of formula (II),

R ²¹ , R ²⁸ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 20 alkyl, aryl and bromine, or R ²¹ , R ²⁴ , R ²⁵ and R ²⁸ are as defined above and R ²³ and / or R ²⁶ or R ²² and / or R ²⁷ designated,

which represents the point of attachment to another part of the molecule;

Y ^{2 is} selected from the group consisting of P (O) R ²⁹ , P (O) OR ²⁹ , Si (C ₁ -C 20 alkyl) ₂ , Si (aryl) ₂ and SO ₂ ;

X ^{2 is} selected from the group consisting of P (O) R ²⁹ , P (O) OR ²⁹ , Si (C ₁ -C 20 alkyl) ₂ , Si (aryl) ₂ and SO ₂ ;

wherein R ²⁹ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -alkyl and aryl, or R ²⁹ denotes

which represents the point of attachment to another part of the molecule.

3. The compound according to claim 2, wherein R ¹⁹ and / or R ^{29 are} each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, 0-C ₂ o alkyl and phenyl, or R ⁹ and / or refers / refer to,

which represents the point of attachment to another part of the molecule.

4. The compound according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compound, in addition to the at least one donor and the at least one acceptor molecule, comprises at least one other donor or acceptor molecule in which the vertical transition energy of the lowest excited Tripietts is at least 2.2 eV.

5. The compound of claim 4, wherein the at least one other donor or acceptor group is a compound of formula (I) or (II) as defined in claim 3.

6. The compound according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the compound is a compound of formula (III) or a compound of formula (IV):

A-B-A

FROM

where, in the compounds of the formula (III) or (IV),

components A and B are each either a donor or an acceptor group, with at least one A or B, preferably all A, most preferably all A and B, a compound having a vertical transition energy of the lowest excited triplet back to the ground electronic state of at least 2.2 eV and wherein the dihedral angle between at least one donor and at least one acceptor group, preferably between (each) A and B, is at least 70 °.

The compound according to claim 6, wherein component A is independently a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 3, each of which is attached to component B via R ¹⁹ .

The compound of claim 7, wherein component B is a compound having a vertical transition energy of the lowest excited triplet back to the electronic ground state of at least 2.2 eV, especially selected from carbazole and carbazole containing compounds, dihydroacridine, dimethylacridine, phenothiazine and phenoxazine ,

The compound according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein component B is a compound of formula (I) or formula (II) as defined in claim 3, each of which is above (a) R ³ and / or R ¹⁶ or (b) R ² and / or R ¹⁷ or (c) R ²³ and / or R ²⁶ or (d) R ²² and / or R ²⁷ is bonded to component (s) A.

10. The compound according to claim 9, wherein each component A is independently selected from compounds having a vertical transition energy of the lowest excited triplet back to the electronic ground state of at least 2.2 eV, especially selected from carbazole and carbazole containing compounds, dihydroacridine, dimethylacridine, Phenothiazine and phenoxazine.

1 1. The compound according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the compound is selected from the group of compounds of formulas (1) - (14):

(1 )

(2)

(14)

12. The compounds of claims 1 to 11, wherein the compound exhibits thermally activatable delayed fluorescence.

13. The use of a compound according to one of claims 1 to 12 in an optoelectronic component, for example an organic electroluminescent device (OLED), an organic integrated circuit (O-IC), an organic field effect transistor (O-FET), a organic thin film transistor (O-TFT), an organic light emitting transistor (O-LET), an organic solar cell (O-SC), an organic optical detector, an organic photoreceptor, an organic field quenching device (O-FQD) light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEG) or an organic laser diode (O-laser) as an emitter or matrix material, preferably as an emitter.