The design, synthesis and evaluation of the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) properties of a series of arylalkynyl-benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BTD) and [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-g]quinoxaline (TDQ) derivatives are described. The synthetic strategy entailed the use of Sonogashira and Stille reactions based on the different aromatic natures of the two cores. The ASE properties were measured in thin polystyrene (PS) films doped with different concentrations of the synthesised compounds. BTD derivatives showed narrowing of the photoluminescence spectra (PL), thus revealing their potential laser applications. Only one TDQ derivative showed ASE. X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to understand the observed results and to establish structure–property relationships. Molecules that showed strong molecular packing quenched the PL emission, thus giving rise to higher ASE thresholds. This is the first study in which ASE has been studied in BTD and TDQ derivatives and it represents a step forward in understanding this class of compounds for laser applications.

A series of Donor–π–Acceptor–π–Donor compounds based on a 2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole core branched with different alkynyl donor groups has been characterized and tested in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). The electronic and molecular structures were elucidated through optical and vibrational spectroscopy in conjunction with DFT calculations. The results indicate that the planarity of the structure and the good intramolecular charge transfer from the electron-donating to the electron-withdrawing fragments play a critical role in the application of the compounds as semiconductors in OFET devices. The compounds were tested in a top-contact/bottom-gate thin film transistor architecture, and they behave as p-type semiconductors.

Monomers 4,7-dibromo-2H-benzo[d]1,2,3-triazole (m1) and 4,7-(bis(4-bromophenyl)ethynyl)-2H-benzo[d]1,2,3-triazole (m2) have been synthesized in good yields using different procedures. Monomers m1 and m2 have been employed for building new copolymers of fluorene derivatives by a Suzuki reaction under microwave irradiation using the same conditions. In each case different chain lengths have been achieved, while m1 gives rise to polymers for m2 oligomers have been obtained (with a number of monomer units lower than 7). Special interest has been paid to their photophysical properties due to excited state properties of these D-A units alternates, which have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations using two methods: (i) An oligomer approach and (ii) by periodic boundary conditions (PBC). It is highly remarkable the tunability of the photophysical properties as a function of the different monomer functionalization derived from 2H-benzo[d]1,2,3-triazole units. In fact, a strong modulation of the absorption and emission properties have been found by functionalizing the nitrogen N-2 of the benzotriazole units or by elongation of the π-conjugated core with the introduction of alkynylphenyl groups. Furthermore, the charge transport properties of these newly synthesized macromolecules have been approached by their implementation in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) in order to assess their potential as active materials in organic optoelectronics.