GB2623329A

GB2623329A - Composition

Info

Publication number: GB2623329A
Application number: GB2214997.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kamtekar Kiran; Jones Sophie; Yacoobi-Gross Nir
Original assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-10-11
Filing date: 2022-10-11
Publication date: 2024-04-17
Also published as: WO2024079127A1; GB202214997D0; TW202415727A

Abstract

A composition comprising an electron-donating polymer and an electron acceptor wherein the electron-donating polymer comprises a benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene repeat unit and wherein a film of the electron-accepting material has a peak absorption wavelength greater than 1000 nm. The composition may be a formulation dissolve in solvent(s) and used as a photosensitive layer of an organic photodetector in a photosensor. Also shown is a method of making an organic photodetector.

Description

COMPOSITION BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to compositions suitable for use in organic photodetectors.

A range of organic electronic devices comprising organic semiconductor materials are known, including organic lien-emitting devices, organic field effect transistors, organic photovoltaic devices and organic photodetectors (OPDs).

WO 2018/065352 discloses an OPD having a photoactive layer that contains a small ro molecule acceptor which does not contain a fullerene moiety and a conjugated copolymer electron donor having donor and acceptor units.

WO 2018/065356 discloses an OPD having a photoactive layer that contains a small molecule acceptor which does not contain a fullerene moiety and a conjugated copolymer electron donor having randomly distributed donor and acceptor units.

is Yao et al, "Design, Synthesis, and Photovoltaic Characterization of a Small Molecular Acceptor with an Ultra-Narrow Band Gap", Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2017 Mar 6;56(11):3045-3049 discloses a non-fullerene acceptor with a band gap of 1.24 eV.

Li et al, "Fused Tris(thienothiophene)-Based Electron Acceptor with Strong Near-Infrared Absorption for High-Performance As-Cast Solar Cells", Advanced Materials, Vol, 30(10), 2018 discloses a fused octacyclic electron acceptor (FOIC) for solar cells.

Sao et al, "A New Non-fullerene Acceptor with Near Infrared Absorption for High Performance Ternary-Blend Organic Solar Cells with Efficiency over 13%" Advanced Science, Vol. 5(6), June 2018 discloses a solar cell containing an acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) type non-fullerene acceptor 3TT-FIC which has three fused thieno[3,2-bjthiophene as the central core and dill uoro substituted indanone as the end groups. -9 -

Wang et al, "Fused Ilexacyclic Nonfullerene Acceptor with Strong Near-Infrared Absorption for Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells with 9.77% Efficiency" discloses solar cells containing acceptor IHIC, based on electron-donating group dithicnocyclopentathicno[12-frithiophene flanked by electron-withdrawing group 1,1-dicyanomethylene-3-inclanone.

Summary

A summary of aspects of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a Mel' summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to /0 limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects and/or a combination of aspects that may not be set forth.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a composition comprising an electron-donating polymer and an electron accepting material wherein the electron-donating polymer comprises a benzo[1,2-b:4,5-1fldithiophene repeat unit and wherein a film of /5 the electron-accepting material has a peak absorption wavelength greater than 1000 nm.

The electron-accepting material is preferably a non-fullerene acceptor.

In a preferred embodiment, the electron acceptor is a compound of formula (I):

EAG -EDG -EAG (I)

wherein each EAG is an electron accepting group; and EDG is an electron-donating group of formula (II) or (III): each X is independently 0 or S; Ars and Ar4 independently in each occurrence is a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group; Ars is selected from the group consisting of thiophene, furan and benzene which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two substituents; lo 121 and R2 independently in each occurrence is a substituent; R4 and R5 are each independently H or a substituent; R3 and R6 are each independently H, a substrtuent or a divalent group bound to EAG; Z1 is a direct bond or Z1 together with the substituent R4 forms Arl wherein Arl is a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group; -4 -Z2 is a direct bond or Z2 together with the substituent R5 forms Ar2 wherein Ar2 is a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group; p is 1, 2 or 3; q is 1, 2 or 3; and ----is a point of attachment to EAG.

In some embodiments, there is provided a formulation comprising a composition as described herein dissolved or dispersed in one or more solvents.

In some embodiments, there is provided an organic photodetector comprising: an anode; a cathode; and a photosensitive organic layer disposed between the anode and cathode ro wherein the photosensitive organic layer comprises a composition as described herein.

In some embodiments, there is provided a circuit comprising an organic photodetector as described herein, and at least one of a voltage source for applying a reverse bias to the organic photodetector and a device configured to measure photocurrent generated by the photodetector.

In some embodiments, there is provided a method of forming an organic photodetector as described herein comprising formation of the photosensitive organic layer over one of the anode and cathode and formation of the other of the anode and cathode over the photosensitive organic layer.

The present inventors have further found that an OPD containing a donor polymer containing a benzor 1,2-b:4,5-bldithiophene repeat unit may provide a good balance between high external quantum efficiency and low dark current, particularly at long wavelengths.

Accordingly, in some embodiments there is provided a photosensor comprising a light source and an organic photodetector as described herein configured to detect light emitted from the light source.

In some embodiments, there is provided a method of determining the presence and / or concentration of a target material in a sample, the method comprising illuminating the -5 -sample and measuring a response of an organic photodetector as described herein which is configured to receive light emitted from the sample upon illumination.

Description of Drawings

The disclosed technology and accompanying figures describe some implementations of the disclosed technology.

Figure 1 illustrates an organic photodetector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure: Figure 2 shows solution and film absorption spectra for an electron-accepting compound having a film peak absorption wavelength in excess of 1000 nm; lo Figure 3A is a graph of external quantum efficiency (EQE) vs. wavelength for an organic photodetector in which the photoresponsive layer contains Donor Polymer 2 having a benzo[1,2-b:4,5-bldithiophene repeat unit and Compound Example 2; Figure 3B is a graph of dark current density vs. voltage for the organic photodetector of Figure 3A; Figure 4A is a film absorption spectrum for Acceptor 1; Figure 4B is a graph of external quantum efficiency (EQE) vs. wavelength for an organic photodetector in which the photoresponsive layer contains Donor Polymer 2 and Acceptor 1; and Figure 4C is a graph of dark current density vs. voltage for the organic photodetector of 20 Figure 4B.

The drawings are not drawn to scale and have various viewpoints and perspectives. The drawings are some implementations and examples. Additionally, some components and/or operations may be separated into different blocks or combined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of some of the embodiments of the disclosed technology.

Moreover, while the technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the technology to -6 -the particular implementations described. On the contrary, the technology is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to." As used herein, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between io two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, electromagnetic, or a combination thereof Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context. permits, words in the Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or," in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

The teachings of the technology provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described below. The elements and acts of the various examples described below can be combined to provide further implementations of the technology. Some alternative implementations of the technology may include not only additional elements to those implementations noted below, but also may include fewer elements.

These and other changes can be made to the technology in light of the following detailed description. While the description describes certain examples of the technology, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the description appears, the technology can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while still being encompassed by the technology disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the technology should -7 -not he taken to imply that die terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the technology to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms.

Accordingly, the actual scope of the technology encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the technology under the claims.

To reduce the number of claims, certain aspects of the technology are presented below ro in certain claim forms, but the applicant contemplates the various aspects of the technology in any number of claim forms. For example, while some aspect of the technology may be recited as a computer-readable medium claim, other aspects may likewise be embodied as a computer-readable medium claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied in a means-plus-function claim.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of implementations of the disclosed technology. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the disclosed technology may be practiced without some of these specific details.

Figure 1 illustrates an OPD according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The OPD comprises a cathode 103, an anode 107 and a bulk heterojunction layer 105 disposed between the anode and the cathode. The OPD may be supported on a substrate 101, optionally a glass or plastic substrate.

Figure 1 illustrates an arrangement in which the cathode is disposed between the substrate and the anode. In other embodiments, the anode may he disposed between the cathode and the substrate.

The bulk heterojunction layer comprises a mixture of an electron acceptor and an electron donor. In some embodiments, the bulk heterojunction layer consists of the electron acceptor and the electron donor. In some embodiments, the bulk heterojunction -8 -layer comprises a further electron acceptor. Optionally, the further electron acceptor is a fullerene.

Each of the anode and cathode may independently be a single conductive layer or may comprise a plurality of layers.

The OPD may comprise layers other than the anode, cathode and bulk shown in Figure I. In some embodiments, a hole-transporting layer is disposed between the anode and the bulk heterojunction layer. In some embodiments, an electron-transporting layer is disposed between the cathode and the bulk heterojunction layer. In some embodiments, a work function modification layer is disposed between the bulk heterojunction layer and the anode, and! or between the bulk heterojunction layer and the cathode.

In use, the photodetectors as described in this disclosure may be connected to a voltage source for applying a reverse bias to the device and! or a device configured to measure photocurrent. The voltage applied to the photodetectors may be variable. In some embodiments, the photodetector may be continuously biased when in use.

In some embodiments, a photodetector system comprises a plurality of photodetectors as described herein, such as an image sensor of a camera In some embodiments, a sensor may comprise an OPD as described herein and a light source wherein the OPD is configured to receive light emitted from the light source.

In some embodiments, the light from the light source may or may not be changed before 20 reaching the OPD. For example, the light may be filtered, down-converted or up-converted before it reaches the OPD.

In some embodiments, the light source has a peak wavelength of greater than 750 nm, optionally less than 1500 nm.

The hulk heterojunction layer may contain an electron acceptor (n-type) compound of formula (I):

EAG -EDG -EAG (I) -9 -

wherein each EAG is an electron accepting group; and EDG is an electron-donating group. The electron-donating group may be a group of formula (II) or (III): (H) wherein: each X is independently 0 orS; Ar3 and Ar4 independently in each occurrence is a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic or ro heteroaromatic group; Ars is selected from the group consisting of thiophene, furan and benzene which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two substituents; RI and R2 independently in each occurrence is a substituent; R4 and R5 are each independently H or a substituent; -10 -R3 and R6 are each independently H, a substituent or a divalent group bound to EAG; Z1 is a direct bond or Z1 together with the substituent R4 forms Arl wherein Arl is a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group; Z2 is a direct bond or Z2 together with the substituent R5 forms Ar2 wherein Ar2 is a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group; p is 1, 2 or 3; q is 1, 2 or 3; and ----is a point of attachment to EAG.

The present inventors have found that compounds of formula (1) may be capable of absorbing light at long wavelengths, e.g. greater than 750 nm, optionally greater than 10(X) nm, optionally less than 1500 nm, allowing for use of these compounds in organic photodetectors, particularly in a photosensor containing such an OPD and a near infrared light source.

Optionally, R1 and R2 of formula (Ia) or (Ib) independently in each occurrence are selected from the group consisting of: linear, branched or cyclic Ci_70 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced by 0, S. NR12, CO or COO wherein R12 is a CIA, hydrocarbyl and one or more H atoms of the C1_20 alkyl may be replaced with F; and a group of formula (Ak)u-(Ar6)v wherein Ak is a C 1_12 alkylene chain in which one or 20 more C atoms may be replaced with 0, S. CO or COO; u is 0 or 1; Ar6 in each occurrence is independently an aromatic or heteroaromatic group which is unsuhstituted or substituted with one or more substituents; and v is at least 1, optionally 1, 2 or 3.

CI-12 hydrocarbyl may be Ci_12 alkyl; unsubstituted phenyl; and phenyl substituted with one or more C1_6 alkyl groups.

as Ar is preferably phenyl.

Where present, substituents of Ar6 may be a substituent R16 wherein R16 in each occurrence is independently selected from Chno alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced by 0, S. NRI2, CO or COO and one or more H atoms of the C1-20 alkyl may be replaced with F. If v is 3 or more then -(Ar6)v may be a linear or branched chain of Ar6 groups. A linear chain of Ar groups as described herein has only on monovalent terminal Ar6 group whereas a branched chain of Ar6 groups has at least two monovalent terminal Ar6 groups.

Optionally, at least one of RI and R2 in each occurrence is phenyl which is unsubstituted io or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R16 as described above..

Optionally, each R3-R6 is independently selected from: H; C 1_1i alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with O. S, COO or CO; and an aromatic or heteroaromatic group Ar6 which is unsubstituted or substituted AO is preferably an aromatic group, more preferably phenyl.

The one or more substituents of Ar6, if present, may be selected from C112 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0. S. 20 COO or CO.

By "non-terminal" C atom of an alkyl group as used herein is meant a C atom of the alkyl other than the methyl C atom of a linear (n-alkyl) chain or the methyl C atoms of a branched alkyl chain.

Optionally, Ar3 and Ar4 are each independently selected from thiophene, furan, bifuran 25 and thienothiophene.

-12 -Ar3, Ar4 and Ars are each independently unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents. Preferred substituents of Ar3. Ar4 and Ar', if present, are selected from groups R3-R6 described above other than H, preferably C1-,0 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms are replaced with 0, S. CO or COO.

r Optionally, EDG is selected from formulae (Ha) and (Ina): Optionally, EDG is selected from formulae (TM) and (IIlb): -13 -(1b) wherein R7 in each occurrence is independently H or a substituent. Optionally. R7 in each occurrence is independently selected from: H; C1_12 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S. COO or CO; and an aromatic or heteroaromatic group Ar6 which is unsubstituted or substituted In some embodiments, each R3-R6 and, if present. R7 is H; Ci_io alkyl; or C1_20 alkoxy.

In some embodiments at least one of, optionally both of. R4 and R5 is not H, and each R3, R6 and, if present. R7 is H. /5 Optionally, at least one of p and q is 2.

-14 -Optionally, Z1 is linked to R4 to form a monocyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group and / or Z2 is linked to R5 to form a rnonocyclic aromatic or heteroarornatic group.

Optionally. Z1 is linked to R4 to form a thiophene ring or furan ring and / or Z2 is linked to R5 to form a thiophene ring or furan ring.

Each EAG has a LUMO level that is deeper (i.e. further from vacuum) than that of EDG, preferably at least 1 eV deeper. The LUMO levels of EAG and EDG may be as determined by modelling the LUMO level of EAG-H with that of H-EDG-H, i.e. by replacing the bonds between EAG and EDG with bonds to a hydrogen atom. Modelling may be performed using Gaussian09 software available from Gaussian using Gaussian09 with B3LYP (functional) and LACVP* (Basis set).

Optionally, each EAG is a group of formula (IV) or (V): (IV) (V) Wherein A is a 5-or 6-membered ring which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents; 121° and RH independently in each occurrence is a substituent; and Ar7 is an aromatic or heteroaromatic group which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents.

Optionally, each EAG is a group of formula (VI): -15 -

NC (VI)

wherein: R1° in each occurrence is H or a substituent; ----represents a linking position to EDG; and each X1-X4 is independently CR13 or N wherein R13 in each occurrence is H or a substituent.

Optionally, each R13 is independently selected from H; Ci_12 alkyl; and an electron rn withdrawing group. Optionally the electron withdrawing group is F or CN.

Ril) is preferably H. Substituents R1° are preferably selected from the group consisting of Chi, alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S. COO or CO and one or more H atoms of the alkyl may be replaced with F; and an aromatic group Art, optionally phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from F and Ci_12 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S. COO or CO.

Optionally, R3 and / or R6 is B(R14)2 wherein R14 in each occurrence is a substituent, optionally a C1-20 hydrocarbyl group, and one or both EAG groups is an unsubstituted or substituted heteroaromatic group of formula (VII): -16 -Aru (VIT) wherein Ars is a monocyclic or fused heteroaromatic group which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents; -> is a bond to the boron atom of R3 or R6; 5 and ---is the bond to EDG.

The, or each, suhstituent of Ars (if present) may be selected from suhstituents described with reference to R7.

Optionally, 1(14 is a Ch20hydrocarbyl group R14 is selected from C142 alkyl; unsubstituted phenyl; and phenyl substituted with one or more C1_12 alkyl groups.

Optionally, the group of formula (VII) is selected from formulae (Vila). (VIIb) and (Vile): R1K R15 R15 R15

N N NiAP. Ri5 (

(VII a) (V 11b) (Vile) wherein R' in each occurrence is independenily H or a suhslil tient, optionally H or a substituent as described with reference to R7. EDG, EAG and the B(R14)2 substituent of EDG may be linked together to form a 5-or 6-membered ring.

Optionally, EAG is selected from formulae (XIV)-(XXV): Nrc) R10 (XVIa) (XVII)) (XVII) R25H25 (XVIII) (XVIc) (XX) (XIX)

NN

IRK R25 (N -17 -(IXVa) (XVa) (LX VI)) (XVb) (XX I) (XXII) (XXIV) R25 (XXV) J is 0 or S. A is a 5-or 6-membered ring which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents and which may be fused to one or more further rings.

R23 in each occurrence is a substituent, optionally Ci_p alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S. COO or CO and one or more H atoms of the alkyl may be replaced with F. R2 in each occurrence is independently H; F; Ci_p alkyl wherein one or more nonadjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S. COO or CO and one or ro more H atoms of the alkyl may be replaced with F; or an aromatic group Ar2, optionally phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from F and CI-12 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S, COO or CO.

12-is a substituent, preferably a substituent selected from: is -(Ar13),, wherein Ar13 in each occurrence is independently an unsubstituted or substituted aryl or heteroaryl group, preferably thiophene, and w is I, 2 or 3; -19 -Rl° RthNC,1/4 C; and NC CN CN; NC C1_12 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-telminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S. COO or CO and one or more H atoms of the alkyl may be replaced with F. Arl 4 is a 5-membered heteroaromatic group, preferably thiophene or furan, which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents.

Substituents of Arl 3 and Arm, where present, are optionally selected from CI-12 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S. COO or CO and one or more H atoms of the alkyl may be replaced with F. Z1 is N or P T1, T2 and T3 each independently represent an aryl or a heteroaryl ring which may be fused to one or more further rings. Substituents of Ti, T2 and T3, where present, are optionally selected from non-H groups of R15.

Exemplary compounds of formula (XlVa) or (XIVb) include:

CN

-20 -wherein Ak is a CIA, alkylene chain in which one or more C atoms may be replaced with 0, S. CO or COO: An is an anion, optionally -S03-; and each benzene ring is independently unsubstitued or substituted with one or more substituents selected from substituents described with reference to RI°.

r Exemplary EAGs of formula (XXI) are: R23 An exemplary EAG group of formula (XXII) is: Exemplary compounds of formula (1) are: C6H,, fts pat CAR', C5H13

CN 0-EH

EH

CN

NC ON

NC

NC ON

NC

ON C5H13 C6H13

t**** ;

ON CN * * \

CN

wherein EH is ethylhexyl.

The present inventors have found that ADADA-type electron-acceptors may provide high efficiency and / or low dark current when used in combination with a electron-5 donating polymer comprising a benzo[1,2-b:4.5-bldithiophene repeat unit. The ADA'DA-type electron-acceptor may he a compound of formula (IX): A2(132)( D1)yl 131*A14131 D2)HB2*A3 z1 xi x2 y2 z2 (IX) wherein: lo D1 and D2 independently in each occurrence is an electron-donating group; Ai is a divalent electron-accepting group; A2 and A3 are each independently a monovalent electron-accepting group; Bi and B2 in each occurrence are independently a bridging group; xl and x2 are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; yl and y2 are each independently at least 1; and 2:1 and z2 are each independently 0, 1,2 or 3.

AI may be selected from groups described herein as electron-accepting repeat units, for example groups of formula (XVIIIa) to (XLI).

A2 and A3 may be selected from electron-accepting groups EAG as described herein, preferably a group of formula (V) or (VI). A2 and A3 may be the same or different preferably the same.

DI and D2 preferably are fused heteroaromatic groups containing 3 or more rings. Particularly preferred electron-donating groups DI and D2 comprise fused thiophene or furan rings, optionally fused rings containing thiophene or furan rings and one or more /0 rings selected from benzene, cyclopentadiene, tetrahydropyran, tetrahydrothiopyran and piperidine rings, each of said rings being unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents. Substituents may be selected from non-H groups R2' as described herein.

Exemplary groups DI and D2 include, without limitation: - s It_ R25 R25 R25 R25 S s, - sit.

R25 R25 / S\ R25 R25 R25 R25 R25 R25 - 0 \

-S ''*

R25 R25 R25 s R25 0 / / si -ilt s /5 wherein R25. is as described above.

-24 -Bridgin2 units B1 and B2 preferably are monocyclic or fused bicyclic arylene or heteroarylene groups, more preferably monocyclic or fused bicyclic heteroarylene groups, most preferably thiophene or thienothiophene. B1 and B2 may be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents, optionally one or more non-H groups R25.

A non-fullerene acceptor may be used in combination with a fullerene acceptor.

The non-fullerene acceptor: fullerene acceptor weight ratio may be in the range of about 1: 0.1 -1: 1. preferably in the range of about 1: 0.1 -1: 0.5.

The fullerene may be a C60, C70, C76, C78 or C54 fullerene or a derivative thereof including, without limitation. PCBM-type fullerene derivatives (including phonyi-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (.C60PCBM) and phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (C70PCBM)). TCBM-type fullerene derivatives (e.g. tolyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (C60TCBM)), and ThCB M-type fullerene derivatives (e.g. thienyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (C60ThCBM) Where present, a fullerene acceptor may have formula (V111): (VIII) wherein A, together with the C-C group of the fullerene, forms a monocyclic or fused ring group which may be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents.

Exemplary fullerene derivatives include formulae (ilia), (Mb) and (Mc):

C-C

Fullerene

-(VIM) R39

R37 R38 -25 -R33 R36 R39 R42 R41 R32 R35 (CC Fullerene (Ville) (V111b) wherein R30-R42 are each independently H or a substituent.

Substituents R30-R42 are optionally and independently in each occurrence selected from the group consisting of aryl or heteroaryl. optionally phenyl, which may be unsubstitutcd or substituted with one or more substituents; and Cl_no alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-tenninal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S, CO or COO to and one or more H atoms may be replaced with F. Substituents of aryl or heteroaryl groups R30-R42, where present, are optionally selected from C1_12 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S. CO or COO and one or more H atoms may be replaced with F. The donor (p-type) compound is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from electron donating materials that are known to the person skilled in the art. including organic polymers and non-polymeric organic molecules. The p-type compound has a HOMO deeper (further from vacuum) than a LUMO of the electron acceptor. Optionally, the gap between the HOMO level of the p-type donor and the LUMO level of the n-type acceptor compound is less than 1.4 eV.

In a preferred embodiment the p-type donor compound is an organic conjugated polymer, which can be a homopolymer or copolymer including alternating, random or block copolymers. Preferred alternating copolymers comprise an electron-donating -26 -repeat unit and an electron-accepting repeat unit. Preferred are non-crystalline or semi-crystalline conjugated organic polymers. Further preferably the p-type organic semiconductor is a conjugated organic polymer with a low bandgap, typically between 2.5 eV and 1.5 eV, preferably between 2.3 eV and 1.8 eV. As exemplary p-type donor polymers, polymers selected from conjugated hydrocarbon or heterocyclic polymers including polyacene, polyanilinc, polyazulene, polybenzofuran, polyfluorene, polyfuran, polyindenofluorene, polyindole, polyphenylene, polypyrazoline, polypyrene, polypyridazine, polypyridine, polytriarylamine, poly(phenylene vinylene), poly(3-substituted thiophene), poly(3,4-bisubstituted thiophene), polyselenophene, poly(3- /o substituted selenophene), poly(3,4-bisubstituted selenophene), poly(bisthiophene), poly(terthiophene), poly(bisselenophene), poly(terselenophene), polythieno[2,3-Nthiophene, polythienor3,2-1-dthiophene, polybenzothiophene, polybenzoi 1,2-b:4,5-bldithiophene, polyisothianaphthene, poly(monosubstituted pyrrole), poly(3,4-bisubstituted pyrrole), poly-1,3.4-oxadiazoles, polyisothianaphthene, derivatives and /5 co-polymers thereof may be mentioned. Preferred examples of p-type donors are copolymers of polyfluorenes and polythiophenes, each of which may be substituted, and polymers comprising benzothiadiazole-based and thiophene-based repeating units, each of which may be substituted. It is understood that the p-type donor may also consist of a mixture of a plurality of electron donating materials.

Optionally, the donor polymer comprises a repeat unit of formula (XXX): R51 R50 R50 R51 (XXX) wherein Rs° and WI independently in each occurrence is H or a substitucnt.

Substituents R5° and Rs' may be selected from groups other than H described with or respect to R7.

Preferably, each Rs° is a substituent. In a preferred embodiment, the Rs° groups are linked to form a group of formula -Y1-C(IV2)2-wherein Y1 is 0. NR53, or C(R52)2; R'2 -27 -in each occurrence is H or a substituent, preferably a substituent as described with reference to RI, most preferably a C1,30 hydrocarbyl group; and R53 is a substituent, preferably a CI _30 hydrocarbyl group.

Preferably, each R51 is H. Optionally, the polymer comprises an electron-donating benzo[1,2-b:4,5-bldithiophene repeat unit of formula (X): wherein RP and R" are each independently selected from H; F; Ci-20 alkyl wherein one to or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S, COO or CO and one or more H atoms of the alkyl may be replaced with F; or an aromatic group or heteroaromatic group Ar I° which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from F and Cur alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S. COO or CO.

Arl° is preferably unsubstituted or substituted thiophene.

Each R is preferably selected from unsubstituted or substituted thiophene and C1_11 alkoxy.

Optionally, the donor polymer comprises an electron-accepting repeat unit selected from repeat units of formulae: (XIXa)

NN

(XXIa) (XXIVa) R27 R28 (XXXVIa) P25

N

R 2 5 (N R28 (XXXVIlla) R25 (XVIIIa) (XXa) (XXIIa) (XXVa) R25 -2 8 -R23 -29 -

XL XLI

wherein R25, Z1, R23 and R25 are as described above and wherein R27 and R28 are each independently selected from H or a substituent, more preferably an electron withdrawing substituent. Exemplary electron-withdrawing substituents are F; CN; NO,; and C00R29 wherein R29 is a C1_20 hydrocarbyl group, optionally a Ci_12 alkyl or phenyl which is optionally substituted with one or more Ci_p alkyl groups.

In some embodiments, the donor is an alternating copolymer comprising alternating electron-donating repeat units and electron-accepting repeat units which are directly bound to one another.

In some embodiments, the donor comprises alternating electron-donating repeat units ro and electron-accepting repeat units which are separated from one another by bridging units. Preferred bridging units are optionally substituted monocyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic units, more preferably a 5-membered heteroaromatic unit comprising ring atoms selected from C and one or more of S, 0 and N, most preferably thiophene. Substituents of a C atom of a bridging unit may be selected from non-H groups R25 as desciibed above. Substituents of a N atom of a bridging unit may be selected from groups R23 as described above.

Exemplary donor materials are disclosed in, for example, W02013/051676, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, formation of a conjugated polymer donors comprises 20 polymerisation of a monomer of formula M-1 and a monomer of formula M-2: LG2-D-LG2 M-1 M-2 wherein: a LG1 is a leaving group selected from one of: (a) a halogen or -0S02128 wherein R8 is an optionally substituted C1-12 alkyl or aryl and (b) a boronic acid or ester.

LG2 is the other of (a) and (b); A is a group for forming an electron-accepting repeat unit; and 5 B is a group for forming an electron-donating repeat unit.

R8 is preferably a C112 alkyl or phenyl which is optionally substituted with one or more F atoms.

In other embodiments. M-1 is replaced with a monomer of formula M-1' or M-2 is replaced with a monomer of formula M-2', wherein B is a bridging group as described ro herein: LGI-B-A-B-LG1 LG2-B-D-B-L02 M-1' M-2' Exemplary groups formed by reaction of a monomer of formula M-I include: /5 Optionally, the p-type donor has a HOMO level no more than 5.5 eV from vacuum level. Optionally, the p-type donor has a HOMO level at least 4.1 eV from vacuum level.

Unless stated otherwise, HOMO and LUMO levels of a compound as described herein are as measured from a film of the compound using square wave voltammetry.

In some embodiments, the weight of the donor compound to the acceptor compound is from about 1:0.5 to about 1:2.

-31 -Preferably, the weight ratio of the donor compound to the acceptor compound is about 1:1 or about 1:1.5.

At least one of the first and second electrodes is transparent so that light incident on the device may reach the bulk heterojunction layer. In some embodiments, both of the first and second electrodes are transparent.

Each transparent electrode preferably has a transmittance of at least 70 %, optionally at least 80 %, to wavelengths in the range of 300-900 nm.

In some embodiments, one electrode is transparent and the other electrode is reflective.

Optionally, the transparent electrode comprises or consists of a layer of transparent /0 conducting oxide, preferably indium tin oxide or indium zinc oxide. In preferred embodiments, the electrode may comprise poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT). In other preferred embodiments, the electrode may comprise a mixture of PEDOT and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS). The electrode may consist of a layer of PEDOT:PSS.

Optionally, the reflective electrode may comprise a layer of a reflective metal. The /5 layer of reflective material may be aluminium or silver or gold. In some embodiments, a bi-layer electrode may be used. For example, the electrode may be an indium tin oxide (ITO)/silver bi-layer, an 1TO/aluminium bi-layer or an 1TO/gold bi-layer.

The device may be formed by forming the bulk heterojunction layer over one of the anode and cathode supported by a substrate and depositing the other of the anode or cathode over the bulk heteroj unction layer.

The area of the OPD may he less than about 3 cm2, less than about 2 cm2, less than about 1 cm2, less than about 0.75 cm2, less than about 0.5 cm2 or less than about 0.25 cm2.The substrate may he, without limitation, a glass or plastic substrate. The substrate can be described as an inorganic semiconductor. In some embodiments, the substrate may be silicon. For example, the substrate can be a wafer of silicon. The substrate is transparent if, in use, incident light is to be transmitted through the substrate and the electrode supported by the substrate. -32 -

The substrate supporting one of the anode and cathode may or may not be transparent if, in use, incident light is to be transmitted through the other of the anode and cathode.

The bulk heterojunction layer may be formed by any process including, without limitation, thermal evaporation and solution deposition methods.

Preferably, the bulk heterojunction layer is formed by depositing a formulation comprising the acceptor material and the electron donor material dissolved or dispersed in a solvent or a mixture of two or more solvents. The formulation may be deposited by any coating or printing method including, without limitation, spin-coating, dip-coating, roll-coating, spray coating, doctor blade coating, wire bar coating, slit coating, ink jet ll.) printing, screen printing, gravure printing and flexo2raphic printing.

The one or more solvents of the formulation may optionally comprise or consist of benzene substituted with one or more substituents selected from chlorine, Ci_io alkyl and Cijo alkoxy wherein two or more substituents may be linked to form a ring which may be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more C1-6 alkyl groups, optionally toluene, is xylenes, trimethylbenzenes, tetramethylbenzenes, anisole, indane and its alkyl-substituted derivatives, and tetralin and its alkyl-substituted derivatives.

The formulation may comprise a mixture of two or more solvents, preferably a mixture comprising at least one benzene substituted with one or more substituents as descrthed above and one or more further solvents. The one or more further solvents may be selected from esters, optionally alkyl or aryl esters of alkyl or aryl carboxylic acids, optionally a CiA0 alkyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate or dimethoxybenzene. In preferred embodiments, a mixture of trimethylbenzene and benzyl benzoate is used as the solvent. In other preferred embodiments, a mixture of trimethylbenzene and dimethoxybenzene is used as the solvent.

The formulation may comprise further components in addition to the electron acceptor, the electron donor and the one or more solvents. As examples of such components, adhesive agents, defoaming agents, deaerators, viscosity enhancers, diluents, auxiliaries, now improvers colourants, dyes or pigments, sensitizers, stabilizers, nanoparticles, -33 -surface-active compounds, lubricating agents, wetting agents, dispersing agents and inhibitors may be mentioned.

The organic photodetector as described herein may be used in a wide range of applications including, without limitation, detecting the presence and / or brightness of ambient light and in a sensor comprising the organic photodetector and a light source. The photodetector may he configured such that light emitted from the light source is incident on the photodetector and changes in wavelength and / or brightness of the light may be detected, e.g. due to absorption by and! or emission of light from a target material in a sample disposed in a light path between the light source and the organic ro photodetector. The sensor may be, without limitation, a gas sensor, a biosensor, an X-ray imaging device, an image sensor such as a camera image sensor, a motion sensor (for example for use in security applications) a proximity sensor or a fingerprint sensor. A 1D or 2D photosensor array may comprise a plurality of photodetectors as described herein in an image sensor. The photodetector may be configured to detect light emitted is from a target analyte which emits light upon irradiation by the light source or which is bound to a luminescent tag which emits light upon irradiation by the light source. The photodetector may be configured to detect a wavelength of light emitted by the target analyte or a luminescent tag bound thereto.

Examples

Synthesis A compound may be prepared according to the following reaction scheme: CO2Me Me02C (s Me3Sn s RiC12(PPh3), CO2Me CGH13 CISnMe3 n-Bul n-BuLi SnMe3 n-BuLi

IANIF fa ft *

ce O6H13

ON

NC

ON

-35 -Compound Example I was prepared according to the following reaction scheme:

Compound Example 1

Stage 1 Aldehyde (3 g, 9.4 mmol) was dissolved in chloroform (30 mL) and pyridine (5 inL) The solution was degassed for 0.5 h and then cooled to 0 'C. The difluoro unit (3.2 g, 15.5 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture degassed for a further 0.25 h and then allowed to warm to r.t. for 3 h. Methanol was added and the solvent removed to yield a red solid. This crude material was purified by column chromatography on silica eluting C6 i) nBuLi H) CISnBu3 Stage 2 6H13 C4F-16 Pc12c1ba3 P(o-to1)3 toluene

NC

C41-19 0-1Th pyridine chloroform Stage 1 -36 -with petrol ether:DCM 9:1. The product-containing fractions were concentrated to yield the stage 1 material (3.5 g) with 98% purity.

Stage 2 The fused thiophene material (which can be made as described in Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 2011, 32, 1664 or Chem. Mater., 2017, 29, 8369) (1 g, 1.0 mmol) was dissolve in THE and cooled to -78 °C under nitrogen. N-Butyllithium (1.65 ml. 4 1 mmol) was added dropwise and the solution stirred for 1 h at -78 °C before tributyltin chloride (0.99 mg, 3.0 mmol) in THE (5 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to reach r.t. over 16 h. Methanol was added to quench the _to reaction and the solvents were removed. The crude material was triturated with methanol several times to yield to stage 2 material which was used in the next step without further purification.

Compound Example I

Stage 1 material (1.3 g, 2.4 mmol) and stage 2 material (1.5 g, 0.97 mmol) was dissolved in toluene and degassed. Tri(o-tolyl)phosphine (88 mg 0 3 mmol) and tris(dibenzylideneacetone) dipalladium (71 mg, 0.08 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture stirred at 80 °C for 5 h. The reaction mixture was cooled and passed through a celite plug which was further eluted with toluene. The filtrate was concentrated to yield a black semisolid which was triturated with methanol to obtain the crude product as a solid. This was purified by column chromatography on silica using DCM in hexane.

The product-containing fractions were concentrated to give the product as a black solid (530 mg) with 97.8% purity.

Compound Example 2

Compound Example 2 was prepared according to the following reaction scheme: -37 - 1) n-BuLi, I/ CO2Me THF, -78°C \ + \ Sn- 2) Me3SnCI S -78°C to RT n-BuLi -100°C to RI Toluene 80°C Br ceH13BF30Et2 0°C to RI C6H C61113 1) n-BuLi THF. -78°C 2) Bu3SnCI -78°C to r.t.

CN

Pd2dbas (o-T01)3P 0 Toluene 80°C C6H C61-113 Et0H p-TSA 65°C

C

NC N

C6E-113

NC Br

-38 -Intermediate 2: n-Butyl lithium (97.4 ml, 1.6M, 0.16 mol) was added to a solution of thieno13,2-b]thiophene (1) (10 g, 0.07 mol) in THF (100 ml) at -78 'V and the mixture stirred at 25 °C for an hour. After coolingto -78 'V trimethyltin chloride (35.5 g. 0.18 mol) in THF (100 ml) was added and the mixture stirred at 25 °C for 16 hours. It was then quenched with water (200 ml) at 0 °C,extracted with hexane (200 ml),the organic layer was washed with brine and dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and concentrated.The curde solid was dissolved in chloroform (50 ml), methanol (250 ml) was added and the mixture stirred at 0 °C for 2 hours. The resulting slurry was filtered, washed with methanol (100 ml) and dried under vacuum to give Intermediate 2 as a white solid (20 g, 60 % yield).

HPLC: 98.45 %.

(400 MHz, DMSO-d6): 6 [ppm] 0.362 (s, 18H), 7.38 (s, 2H).

Intermediate 4: 7.5 Intermediate 3 can be synthesised as described in Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability (2020), 8, (10), 5163-5170, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (II) dichlmide (144 mg 0 2 mmol) was added to a mixture of Intermediate 2 (4.8 g, 0.01 mol) and methyl 2-bromothiophene-3-carboxylate (3) (4.77 g, 0.02 mmol) in degassed toluene (100 ml) and the mixture heated at 80 'C for 16 hours. After cooling, the resulting slurry was filtered,washed with toluene (20 ml) and dried under vacuum to give Intermediate 4 as a yellow solid (4.5 g).

HPLC: 95.7 %.

(400 MHz, CDC13): 6 [ppm] 1.57 (s, 4H), 3.88 (s, 6H), 7.28 (s, 2H), 7.54 (d, J = 5.40 Hz, 2H), 7.69 (s, 2H).

Intermediate 6: n-butyl lithium (2.5M in hexane, 17.1 ml, 0.04 mol) was added to a solution of 1-bromo-4-hexylbenzene (5) (12.0 g, 0.05 mot) in THF (60 ml) at -100 °C and the -39 -mixture stirred for 2.5 hours. Intermediate 4 (3 g. 0.01 mol) was added as a solid andthe mixture was allowed to warm to 25 °C and stirred for 16 hours. After cooling to 0°C it was quenched with NH4C1 solution (20 % aqueous, 30 ml), extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 20 ml), washed with brine (30 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified silica column chromatography (2 % Et0Ac in hexane as clunt) to give Intermediate 6 (4.5 g, 63 % yield).

LCMS: 96.5 %.

Ill-NMR (400 MHz, CDC13): 6 [ppm] 0.91 (t, J = 6.64 Hz, 12H), 1.33-1.37 (m, 2411), 1.59-1.64 (m, 8H), 2.62 (t, J = 7.88 Hz, 8H), 3.26(bs, 2H), 6.47 (d, J = 5.36 Hz, 2H), 6.66 (s, 2H), 7.11-7.17 (m, 18H).

Intermediate 7: Boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (2.74 ml, 0.02 mol) was added dropwise to a solution of Intermediate (6) (4.5 g, 0.004 mol) in dry DCM (60 ml) under nitrogen at 0 °C. After stirring at 26 °C for 16 hours the mixture was quenched with ice-water (30 ml),diluted with dichloromethane (50 ml),the organic layer was washed with water (30 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by -silica column chromatography (2 to 5 % DCM in hexane as eluent) to give Intermediate 7 as a red-orange solid (2 g. 46 % yield).

HPLC: 98.1 %.

1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDC13): 6 [ppm] 0.88 (t, J = 6.84 Hz, 12H), 1.29-1.37 (rn, 24H), 1.55-1.63 (m, 8H), 2.56 (1, J= 7.92 Hz, 8H), 7.08-7.10 (m, 10H), 7.16-7.18 (m, 10H).

Intermediate 8: n-butyl lithium (2.5M in hexane, 16.5 ml. 0.04 mol) was added to a solution of Intermediate 7 (10 g, 0.01 mol) in dry THF (150 ml) at-78 °C. After 1 hour, tributyl tin chloride (16.9 g, 0.05 mol) in THF (20 ml) was slowly added and the mixture allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 16 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and crude residue triturated with methanol and filtered to give Intermediate 8 as yellow solid (4 g, -75 % desired product by LCMS).

-40 -Intermediate 10: Tri(o-tolyl)phosphine (147 mg, 0.48 mmol) and tris(dibenzylideneacetone) -dipalladium(0) (117 mg, 0 13 mmol) was added to a degassed solution of Intermediate 8 (2.5 g. 1.61 mmol) and 5-bromo-4-[(2-ethylhexyl) oxy]thiophene-2-carbaldehyde (1.28 g, 4.02 mmol) in toluene (150 ml) and the mixture heated to 80 °C for 16 hours. The mixture was concentrated and the crude product purified by silica column chromatography (0 to 50 % DCM in hexanes as eluent) to give Intermediate 10 (1.1 g with 81% LCMS purity and 0.3 g with 86% LCMS purity).

Compound Example 2:

A degassed solution of Intermediate 10(550 mg, 0.38 mmol), Intermediate 11(461 mg, 1.89 mmol) and pm-a-toluene sulfonic acid (540 mg 2 84 mmol) in ethanol (25 nil) was stirred at 65 °C for 18 hours and the mixture concentrated. A further 550 mg of intermediate 10 was also converted to Compound Example 1 The crude products were combined and purified twice by silica column chromatography (hexane:dichloromethane (1:1) as eluent). Fractions containing the desired product were combined and further triturated with ethanol and filtered to give Compound Example 2 (500 mg).

HPLC: 93.79 %.

1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDC13): 6 [ppm] 0.87-0.90 (m, 12H), 0.93-0.97 (m, 6H), 0.99- 1.04 (m, 6H), 1.29-1.34 (m, 12H), 1.26-1.41 (m, 12H), 1.56-1.67 (m, 24H), 1.85-1.90 (m, 2H), 2.61 (t, J= 7.6 Hz, 8H), 4.17 (d, J= 4.8 Hz, 4H), 7.15-7.20(m, 18H), 7.78 (s, 21-1), 8.12 (s, 21-1), 8.75 (In, s, 21-1), 8.98 (s, 21-1).

Intermediate 11 was formed according to the following reaction scheme: -41-

OH

KMn04, KOH Ac20 Water 115°C 130°C

OH

12 14 1) (-Butyl acetoacetate Triethylamine Acetic anhydride RI 2) 10M HCI, 75°C O Ehylene glycol pTSA Br Toluene, 125°C Br K4[Fe(CN)6], Cul n-Butyl imidazole 2M HCI NC in Et20 NC

MTBE 25°C

Xylene, 145°C Malononitrile NaH THF, 0°C to RT Intermediate 13 A mixture of 1,2-Dibromo-4,5-dimethylbenzene (100g. 0.38 mol), potassium hydroxide (105 g, 1.89 mol) and potassium permanganate (298 g, 1.89 mol) in water (2 L) was heated at 115 'C for 24 hours. After cooling to room temperature, sodium bisulphite was added, the pH was adjusted to 8 using 10 % potassium hydroxide solution and the mixture was filtered through a celite pad and washed with water (2 x 50 ml). The aqueous layer was acidified to a pH of 1 with concentrated HC1 to give a white precipitation which was filtered, washed with water (2 x 250 ml) and triturated with -42 -methanol. The resulting solid was filtered and dried under vacuum to give Intermediate 13 (46g. 38 % yield).

1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): 6 [ppm] 8.18 (s, 2H).

Intermediate 14: Intermediate 13 (1200 g, 618 mmol) in acetic anhydride (I L) was heated at 130 °C for 4 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the crude solid was filtered, washed with toluene (200 ml) and dried under vacuum to give Intermediate 14 (200 g).

Intermediate 15: Tert-butylaceto acetate (103 g, 654 mmol) was added to a mixture of Intermediate 14 (200 g, 654 mmol). acetic anhydride (1 L) and triethyl amine (600 nil) and the reaction mixture stirred at 25 °C for 16 hours. After quenching with a mixture of (10 M HC1, 1 L) and ice (1 kg) while maintaining the temperature below 50 'V, the mixture was heated to 75 'V for 2 hours and cooled to room temperature. The solid was filtered and dried to give Intermediate 15 as a brown solid (132 g, 68 % yield).

LCMS: 96.8 %.

1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): S [ppm] 3.28 (s, 2H), 8.25 (s, 2H).

Intermediate 16: A solution of Intermediate 15 (120 2, 394 mmol) ethylene glycol (244 g, 3.9 mol) and para-toluenesulfonic acid (6.78 g, 39.4 mmol) in toluene (1.5 L) was heated at 125 'V for 40 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was added to water (500 ml), the organic layer was separated and concentrated under vacuum. The crude residue was suspended in hexane (1 L), stirred for 30 minutes and filtered to give Intermediate 16 (91 g 59 % yield).

1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDC13): 6 [ppm] 2.56 (s, 2H), 4.09 -4.12 (m, 4H), 4.20 -4.24 (m, 4H), 7.65 (s, 2H).

Intermediate 17: Potassium ferrocyanide (48.6 g, 132 mmol), 1-butyl imidazole (42.9 2, 383 mmol) and Copper (I) iodide (12.5 g, 65.6 mmol) were added in three portions to a solution of -43 -Intermediate 16 (65 g, 165 mmol) in o-xylene (2.5 L). After heating at 140 'V for 44 hours. the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature. filtered through a Florisil plug, and washed with toluene followed by ethyl acetate. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to 1 L and stirred at 25 °C for 16 hours. The resulting solid was filtered, washed with hexanes and purified by silica column chromatography (hexanes:ethyl acetate (2:8) as eluent). Fractions containing the desired product were concentrated under reduced pressure, hexane (1 L) was added to the residue, and the resulting solid was filtered and dried under vacuum to give Intermediate 17 (30 g, 64% yield).

HPLC: 98.9 %.

1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDC13): 6 [ppm] 2.62 (s, 2H), 4.15 -4.21 (m, 4H), 4.24 -4.28 (m, 4H), 7.83 (s, 2H).

Intermediate 18: Hydrogen chloride in diethyl ether (2 M, 500 ml, 1.0 mol) and water (5m1) were added to a solution of Intermediate 17 (90 g, 316 mmol) in tert-butyl methyl ether (1 L). After stirring at 25 °C for 48 hours. the mixture was filtered, the resulting solid washed with diethyl ether (100 ml x 3) and stirred 3 times with acetone (500 ml) for 1 hour and filtered. The resulting solid was dried under vacuum to give Intermediate 18 (61 g. 80% yield).

HPLC: 95 %.

1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDC13): 6 [ppm] 3.07 (s, 2H), 4.20 -4.36 (m, 4H), 8.11 (s, 1H), 8.16 (s, 1H).

Intermediate 11 A solution of malononitrile (5.49 g, 83 2 mmol) in THF (200 ml) was added to a suspension of sodium hydride (3.31 g, 83.2 mmol) in THF (200 nil) at 25 'V and stirred at 25 °C for an hour. The resulting mixture was added to a suspension of Intermediate 18 (20 g, 83.2 mmol) in THF (600 mL) at 0 °C, and the reaction mixture stirred at 25 °C for 16 hours. The resulting mixture was concentrated under vacuum to give a crude dark purple solid. This procedure was repeated on another 40g of intermediate 18. The crude material was combined and purified by silica column chromatography (10 to 20 -44 - % Me0H in DCM as elunt). Fractions containing the desired product were combined, concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue stirred in a mixture of dichloromethane and acetonitrile to give Intermediate 11(20.2 g, 33% yield).

LCMS: 96.35 % purity.

1H-NMR (400 MHz, CD30D): S [ppm] 3.61 (s, 2H), 5.55 (s, 1H), 7.73 (s, 1H), 8.29 (s, 1H).

Compound Example 3

Compound Example 3 may be prepared according to Scheme 3: Scheme 3 C61-113 C61-113

CBH C6H13

C31-1,3

CN

Pdgibes (o-Top3P Toluene 80°C

CN

NC

NC SnBu3 Bu3Sn C6H13

1) n-BuLi THF -76°C 2) Bu3CI -78°C to r t

RON p-TSA 65°C

Compound Example 3

Intermediate 20 can be synthesised as described in Adv. Sci. 2018,5, 1800307, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Modelling data LUMO levels and HOMO-LUMO bandgaps of the following compounds were modelled: -45 -

NC *

CN an * 41 4k

Model Comparative Compound 1

NC CN

Model Comparative Compound 2 Model Compound example 2 Model Comparative Compound 3

NC

CN

-46 -Model Compound example 1 C6His C6H13 S.

CN

NC

CN

NC

Model Compound Example 3 -47 -Model Compound Example 4

ON

NC

Model Compound Example 5 Quantum chemical modelling was performed using Gaussian09 software available from Gaussian using Gaussian09 with B3LYP (functional) and LACVP* (Basis set).

Table 1

Compound HOMO LUMO Band gap (eV) (eV) (eV) Model Comparative Compound 1 -5.028 -3.262 1.767 Model Comparative Compound 2 -5.129 -3.389 -1.740 Model Compound Example 1 -4.839 -3.267 1.572 Model Compound Example 2 -4.816 -3.235 1.580 -48 -Model Comparative Compound 3 -5.375 -3.419 1.956 Model Compound Example 3 -4.95 -3.41 1.54 Model Compound Example 4 -5.28 -3.85 1.44 Model Compound Example 5 -5.20 -3.80 1.40 With reference to Table 1, Model Compound Examples 1 and 2 have a HOMO which is shallower (i.e. closer to vacuum level) and a smaller band gap than Model Comparative Compounds 1 or 2.

HOMO and LUMO measurements HOMO and LUMO values of Compound Example 1 were measured by square wave voltammetry.

In square wave voltammetry, the current at a working electrode is measured while the potential between the working electrode and a reference electrode is swept linearly in /o time. The difference current between a forward and reverse pulse is plotted as a function of potential to yield a voltammogram. Measurement may be with a CHI 660D Potentiostat.

The apparatus to measure HOMO or LUMO energy levels by SWV comprised a cell containing 0.1 M tertiary butyl ammonium hexafluorophosphate in acetonitrile; a 3 mm diameter glassy carbon working electrode; a platinum counter electrode and a leak free Ag/AgC1 reference electrode.

-49 -Ferrocene was added directly to die existing cell at the end of the experiment for calculation purposes where the potentials are determined for the oxidation and reduction of ferrocene versus Ag/AgC1 using cyclic voltammetry (CV).

The sample was dissolved in Toluene (3mg/m1) and spun at 3000 rpm directly on to the glassy carbon working electrode.

LUMO = 4.8-E ferrocene (peak to peak average) -E reduction of sample (peak maximum).

HOMO = 4.8-E ferrocene (peak to peak average) + E oxidation of sample (peak maximum).

/0 A typical SWV experiment runs at 15 Hz frequency; 25 mV amplitude and 0.004 V increment steps. Results were calculated from 3 freshly spun film samples for both the HOMO and LUMO data.

Table 2

HOMO LUMO BG

Film (eV) Film (eV) Film (eV) Compound Example 2 -5.26 -4.23 1.03 Compound Example 4 -5.28 -4.00 1.28 0 CN

ON 0 *

06 H13

NC

-50 -

Compound Example 4

As shown in Table 2, Compound Example 2 has a significantly smaller band gap and significantly deeper LUMO than Compound Example 4.

Absorption measurements Figure 2 shows absorption spectra of Compound Example 2 in film, cast from a 15 mg/ml solution, and in a 15 mg / ml solution.

Absorption spectra were in solution and in film using a Cary 5000 UV-vis-IR spectrometer. As shown in Figure 2, Compound Example 2 shows absorption in film at wavelengths of up to about 1500 nm.

lo Device Example 1

A device having the following structure was prepared: Cathode / Donor: Acceptor layer / Anode A glass substrate coated with a layer of indium-tin oxide (ITO) was treated with polyethyleneinaine (PETE) to modify the work function of the TTO.

/5 A mixture of a Donor Polymer 1 and Compound Example 2 (acceptor) in a donor: acceptor mas ratio of 1:1.5 was deposited over the modified ITO layer by bar coating from a 15 me / ml solution in 1,2,4 Trimethylbenzene; 1,2-Dimethoxybenzene 95:5 v/v solvent mixture. The film was dried under vacuum at 80°C to form a ca. 500 nm thick bulk heterojunction layer An anode stack of Mo03 (10nm) and ITO (50nm) was formed over the bulk heterojunction by thermal evaporation (Mo03) and sputtering (ITO). -51-

Donor Polymer 1 EQE and dark current of Device Example 7 are shown in, respectively. Figures 3A and 3B. As shown in Figure 3A, EQE in excess of 10% is achieved for wavelengths 5 between about 10(X)-1300 nm.

Comparative Devices 1-3 Comparative Devices 1-3 were prepared as described for Device Example 7 except that Comparative Donor Polymers 1-3 were used in place of Donor Polymer 1: Comparative Donor Polymer 1 -52 -Comparative Donor Polymer 2 C8H17 Comparative Donor Polymer 3 With reference to Table 3, external quantum efficiencies of the device containing Donor Polymer 1 are significantly higher than those of the comparative devices containing Comparative Donor Polymers 1, 2 or 3 at 1100, 1300 and 1400 nm despite similarities in HOMO offsets and hand gaps. The exception is EQE of Comparative Device 1 at 1400 nm, however this device suffers from much higher dark current than Device

Example 7. -53 -

Table 3

Device Donor material HOMO Eg (eV) Jd EQE (%) offset (mA/cm2) (eV) 1100nm 1300nm 1400nm Comparative Device 1 Comparative Donor Polymer 1 0.21 0.82 0.79 11.56 6.69 2.31 Comparative Device 2 Comparative Donor Polymer 2 0.19 0.84 3.49 3.06 2.10 1.01 Comparative Device 3 Comparative Donor Polymer 3 0.42 0.61 0.11 0.36 0.58 0.51 Device Donor Polymer 1 0.2 0.83 0.03 20.42 11.23 1.86

Example 1

Device Example 2

A device was prepared as described for Device Example 1 except that Acceptor 1 was 5 used in place of Compound Example 2; the donor: acceptor ratio was 1: 1; and the 10 mg / ml solution was deposited in formation of the bulk heterojunction layer: -54 -Acceptor 1 The absorption spectrum of a film of Acceptor 1 is shown in Figure 4A. EQE and dark current of Device Example 8 are shown in, respectively. Figures 4B and 4C.

Although (he present invention has been described in terms of specific exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that various modifications, alterations and/or combinations of features disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

-55 -Claims 1) A composition comprising an electron-donating polymer and an electron accepting material wherein the electron-donating polymer comprises a benzo[1,2-b:4.5-b]dithiophene repeat unit and wherein a film of the electron-accepting material has a peak absorption wavelength greater than 1000 nm.
2) The composition according to claim 1 wherein the electron-accepting material is a non-fullerene acceptor.
3) The composition according to claim 2 wherein the electron acceptor is a compound of formula (I):EAG -EDG -EAG (I)wherein each EAG is an electron accepting group; and EDG is an electron-donating group of formula (II) or (III): -56 -wherein: each X is independently 0 or S; Ai3 and Ar4 independently in each occurrence is a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group; Ar5 is selected from the group consisting of thiophene, furan and benzene which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two substituents; R1 and R2 independently in each occurrence is a substituent; R4 and R5 are each independently H or a substituent; R3 and le are each independently H, a substituent or a divalent group bound to EAG; Z1 is a direct bond or Z1 together with the substituent R4 forms Arl wherein Arl is a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group; Z2 is a direct bond or Z2 together with the substituent R5 forms Ar2 wherein Ar2 is a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group; pis 1. 2 or 3; q ig 1. 2 or 3; and ----is a point of attachment to EAG.
-57 - 4) The composition according to claim 3 wherein Ar3 and Ar4 are each independently selected from thiophene, furan, furofuran and thienothiophenc.
5) The composition according to claim 3 or 4 wherein EAG is selected from formulae (Ha) and (Ma): (Ih) (Ma) 6) The composition according claim 3 or 4 wherein EAG is selected from formulae (Hb) and (Mb): -58 -(Ilb) (Mb) wherein R7 in each occurrence is independently H or a substituent.7) The composition according to any one of claims 3-6 wherein at least one of p and q is 2.8) The composition according to any one of claims 3-7 wherein Z1 is linked to R4 to form a monocyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group and / or Z2 is linked to R5 to form a monocyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group./o 9) The composition according to claim 8 wherein Z1 is linked to R4 to form a thiophene ring or thienothiophene and / or Z2 is linked to Rs to form a thiophene ring or thienothiophene.10) The composition according to any one of claims 3-9 wherein each EAG is a group of formula (V):NC-59 -(V) wherein: RID in each occurrence is H or a substituent; ----represents a linking position to EDG; and each X1-X4 is independently CR13or N wherein R13 in each occurrence is flora 11) The composition according to claim 10 wherein each R13 is independently selected from H; Ci_p alkyl; and an electron withdrawing group.12) The composition according to claim 11 wherein the electron withdrawing group is F or CN.13) The composition according to any one of claims 3-12 wherein R1 and R2 in each occurrence is selected from the group consisting of: linear, branched or cyclic Ci-,0 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced by 0, S. NR12, CO or COO wherein R12 is a C14/ hydrocarbyl and one or more H atoms of the Ci-no alkyl may be replaced with F; and a group of formula (Ak)u-(Ar6)v wherein Ak is a CIA, alkylene chain in which one or more C atoms may be replaced with 0, S, CO or COO; u is 0 or 1; Ar6 in each occurrence is independently an aromatic or heteroaromatic group which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents; and v is at least 1.14) The composition according to any one of claims 3-12 wherein each R3-R6is independently selected from: H; C 1,12 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S, COO or CO; and -6o -an aromatic or heteroaromatic group Ars which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents.15) The composition according to claim 6 wherein each R7 independently in each occurrence is selected from: H; C1,19 alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S, COO or CO; and an aromatic or heteroaromatic group Ar5 which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents.rc) 16) The composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the benzo[1,2-6:4,5-b]dithiophene repeat unit is a repeat unit of formula (X): wherein R17 and R'5 are each independently selected from H; F; CI-12 alkyl /5 wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S, COO or CO aml one or more H atoms of the alkyl may be replaced with F; or an aromatic group Ar2 which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from F and Ci_i, alkyl wherein one or more non-adjacent, non-terminal C atoms may be replaced with 0, S, COO or CO.17) A formulation comprising a composition according to any one of the preceding claims dissolved or dispersed in one or more solvents.18) An organic photodetector comprising: an anode; a cathode; and a photosensitive organic layer disposed between the anode and cathode wherein the -61-photosensitive organic layer comprises a composition according to any one of claims 1-16.19) A method of forming an organic photodetector according to claim 18 comprising formation of the photosensitive organic layer over one of the anode and cathode and formation of the other of the anode and cathode over the photosensitive organic layer wherein formation of the photosensitive organic layer comprises deposition of a formulation comprising the the electron acceptor and the electron-donating polymer dissolved or dispersed in one or more solvents.20) A photosensor comprising a light source and an organic photodetector according io to claim 18 configured to detect light emitted from the light source wherein the light source emits light having a peak wavelength greater than 1000 nm.