Hetarylbenzene compounds

[0004] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/252,488, filed on Nov. 21, 2000, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] Electroluminescent (EL) devices based on organic thin layers have recently attracted much attention because of their potential uses in large-area flat-panel displays and light-emitting diodes (LED). Organic LEDs have been made with both low molecular-weight organic materials and with polymers. The performance of these devices is significantly influenced by the charge balance between electrons and holes from opposite electrodes. The charge can be balanced by using a bilayer structure including a hole transporting layer and an electron transporting layer. One or both of these layers can be luminescent.

[0006] An important quality of organic EL materials is their durability, i.e., thermal and morphological stability. Thus, it is desirable that organic EL materials are not only light-emitting and hole transporting, but also robust.

[0007] The hexasubstituted benzene compounds of the invention are useful as hole transporting, green-light-emitting molecules with high glass transition temperatures. These compounds have a number of qualities that make them useful in electroluminescence devices.

[0008] In one aspect, the invention features a method of preparing a compound of formula I:

[0009] Each of R¹-R⁶is, independently,

[0010] Y is O, S, NH, or C(R⁷)═C(R⁸). Each of R⁷-R¹¹is, independently, H, substituted or unsubstituted C_1-6alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C_2-6alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C_2-6alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted C_6-20aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted C_4-20heteroaryl. Alternatively, each of R⁷-R¹¹is OH, C_1-6alkoxy, or N(R¹²)(R¹³). For N(R¹²)(R¹³), each of R¹²and R¹³is, independently, H, substituted or unsubstituted C_1-6alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C_2-6alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C_2-6alkynyl, or substituted or unsubstituted C_6-20aryl. Each of R⁷-R¹¹can also be NO₂, CN, or CO₂R¹⁴, in which R¹⁴is H or C_1-6alkyl.

[0011] The method includes contacting a compound of formula II with a compound of formula III to form a compound of formula I. The compound of formula II is shown below:

[0012] In this compound, each of X¹-X⁶is, independently, Br or I. The compound of formula III is shown below:

[0013] In this compound, Y and R⁷-R¹¹are as defined above and Z is ZnCl or Sn(R¹⁵)(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷), in which each of R¹⁵-R¹⁷is, independently, C_1-6alkyl.

[0014] In some preferred embodiments, Y is O, S, or NH; each of R¹⁰and R¹¹is H; and/or R⁹is N(R¹²)(R¹³). Preferably, each of R¹²and R¹³is, independently, substituted or unsubstituted aryl; for example, each of R¹²and R¹³can be, independently, phenyl, tolyl, naphthyl, or pyrenyl. In other preferred embodiments, R⁹is carbazolyl. In other preferred embodiments, Y is C(R⁷)═C(R⁸). In still other preferred embodiments, each of R¹⁵-R¹⁷is methyl or butyl.

[0015] In another aspect, the invention features a method of forming a hexaarylbenzene; the method includes contacting a hexahalobenzene with a stannane. In preferred embodiments, the hexaarylbenzene is a hexakis-(heteroaryl)benzene. For example, the hexaaryylbenzene can be a hexakis-(thienyl)benzene, e.g., a hexakis-(carbazolylthienyl)benzene, or a hexakis-(aminothienyl)benzene, e.g., a hexakis-[(diarylamino)thienyl]benzene.

[0016] In another aspect, the invention features a compound of formula I

[0017] Each of R¹-R⁶is, independently,

[0018] in which Y is O, S, or NH. Each of R⁹-R¹¹is, independently, H, substituted or unsubstituted C_1-6alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C_2-6alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C_2-6alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted C_6-20aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted C_4-20heteroaryl. Alternatively, each of R⁹-R¹¹is OH, C_1-6alkoxy, or N(R¹²)(R¹³). For N(R¹²)(R¹³), each of R¹²and R¹³is, independently, H, substituted or unsubstituted C_1-6alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C_2-6alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C_2-6alkynyl, or substituted or unsubstituted C_6-20aryl. Each of R⁹-R¹¹can also be NO₂, CN, or CO₂R¹⁴, in which R¹⁴is H or C_1-6alkyl.

[0019] In some preferred embodiments, each of R¹⁰and R¹¹is H. In other preferred embodiments, R⁹is N(R¹²)(R¹³), and each of R¹²and R¹³is, independently, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, e.g., phenyl, tolyl, naphthyl, or pyrenyl. In still other preferred embodiments, R⁹is carbazolyl.

[0020] Preferably, Y is S. For example, each of R¹-R⁶can have one of the following formulae:

[0021] In another aspect, the invention features an electroluminescence device made with one of more of the compounds described above. The device includes a substrate, which may be coated. The device also includes a hole transporting layer, an emitting layer, and an electron transporting layer. The compounds described above may be included in the hole transporting layer and/or the emitting layer.

[0022] The term “saturated” used herein refers to a compound or portion of a compound having each atom either hydrogenated or substituted such that the valency of each atom is filled.

[0023] The term “unsaturated” used herein refers to a compound or portion of a compound where the valency of each atom may not be filled with hydrogen or other substituents. For example, adjacent carbon atoms can be doubly bound to each other.

[0024] The term “substituted” used herein refers to moieties having one, two, three or more substituents, which may be the same or different, each replacing a hydrogen atom. Examples of substituents include but are not limited to alkyl, hydroxyl, protected hydroxyl, amino, protected amino, carboxy, protected carboxy, cyano, alkoxy, and nitro.

[0025] The term “unsubstituted” used herein refers to a moiety having each atom hydrogenated such that the valency of each atom is filled.

[0026] The term “aryl” used herein refers to a moiety having a hydrocarbon ring system (e.g., a fused ring system) having at least one aromatic ring. Examples of aryl moieties include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, and pyrenyl.

[0027] The term “heteroaryl” used herein refers to a moiety having a ring system (e.g., a fused ring system) with at least one aromatic ring and at least one heteroatom, including, but not limited to, O, N, and S. Examples of heteroaryl moieties include, but are not limited to, pyridinyl, carbazolyl, and indolyl.

[0028] Protected forms of the compounds described herein are included within the scope of the invention. In general, the species of protecting group is not critical, provided that it is stable to the conditions of any subsequent reaction(s) on other positions of the compound and can be removed at the appropriate point without adversely affecting the remainder of the molecule. In addition, one protecting group may be substituted for another after substantive synthetic transformations are complete. Examples and conditions for the attachment and removal of various protecting groups are found in T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, (1st ed., 1981, 2nd ed., 1991).

[0029] In addition, salts of the compounds described herein are within the scope of the invention. For example, a salt can be formed between a positively charged amino substituent and a negatively charged counterion.

[0030] The details of several embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0031] The invention features methods for preparing hexasubstituted benzene compounds, the compounds themselves, and EL devices made using these compounds. In particular, the invention features methods for the six-fold substitution of a hexahalobenzene. For example, a hexakis(thienyl)benzene can be synthesized by the palladium-catalyzed thienylation of hexabromobenzene. These starburst-shaped compounds can help improve the physical properties of the organic LEDs into which they are incorporated.

[0032] A method for synthesizing a hexaarylbenzene is as follows: If the aryl group is to be substituted, a substituted aryl or heteroaryl compound is first prepared. The substituted aryl or heteroaryl compound may be prepared by coupling a halogenated aryl or heteroaryl compound with a substituent in the presence of a catalyst, e.g., CuI. Examples of substituents include alkyl, aryl, amino, alkoxy, hydroxy, carboxy, nitro, and cyano substituents. The resulting compound is then converted to a metallated compound, e.g., an aryl zinc chloride, a heteroaryl zinc chloride, an aryl stannane, or a heteroaryl stannane. A hexahalobenzene is then contacted with the metallated compound, or a mixture of such compounds, in the presence of a catalyst. The result is a hexasubstituted benzene.

[0033] Shown below in the scheme is a synthetic procedure for making exemplary compounds of the invention, indicated as compounds 4a-4d.

[0034] As shown in the scheme, Ullmann coupling of iodothiophene with diarylamines 1a-1d affords diarylthienylamines 2a-2d. Amines 2a-2d are then converted to thienylstannanes 3a-3d. (P. V. Bedworth, Y Cai, A. Jen, S. R. Marder, J. Org. Chem.1996, 61, 2242) Sixfold thienylation of hexabromobenzene with thienylstannanes 3a-3d, using Stille's cross-coupling reactionn (Stille, J. K., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.1986, 25, 508) yields air-stable starburst compounds 4a-4d.

[0035] Hexaarylbenzene derivatives are useful as organic EL materials for a variety of reasons. The expected twisting of the aryl units to the central benzene may hinder close packing of the molecules in the solid state, and facilitate formation of stable amorphous morphology. In addition, the high local concentration of functional groups, which may act as hole transporting units, may be beneficial to the physical performance of the materials. For example, the concentration may promote current flux.

[0036] The electronic properties of the aryl groups are important as well. For example, the π-excessive thiophene ring may lower the oxidation potential of the compound to which it is attached.

[0037] The compounds of the invention can be used to make electroluminescence devices. A diagrammatic representation of such a device is shown below.

[0038] Electroluminescence devices generally include multiple layers. A typical device includes a substrate, e.g., glass, which may be coated with an oxide, e.g., indium-tin-oxide (ITO). The device also includes a hole transporting layer, an electron transporting layer, and an emitting layer. The hole transporting layer and the emitting layer may be combined into a single layer, or the emitting layer and the electron transporting layer may be combined into a single layer. The device may also include a cathode.

[0039] Devices can be prepared by vacuum deposition of compounds 4a-4d (as hole transporting layer), followed by Alq₃as emitting layer and electron-transporting layer (Alq₃=tris(8-quinolinolato)aluminum (III), C. W. Tang, S. A. VanSlyke, Appl. Phys. Lett.1987, 51, 913; J. Kido, Y. Lizumi, Chem. Lett.1997, 963) onto an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate. An alloy of magnesium and silver (ca. 8:1, 500 Å), which serves as the cathode, can be deposited onto the organic layer by simultaneously evaporating from two different sources. The cathode is capped with 1000 Å of silver. The current-voltage (I-V) curve can be measured on a Keithley 2000 Source Meter in an ambient environment. Light intensity (L) is measured with a Newport 1835 Optical Meter.

[0040] Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, based on the description herein, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. All publications recited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The following specific examples, which describe the synthesis of various compounds of the invention, are therefore to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way.

[0041] Compounds 9-(2-thienyl)-9H-carbazole (2a) and 9-[5-(1,1,1-tributyl-stannyl)-2-thienyl]-9H-carbazole (3a) were synthesized using the same procedures used to synthesize 2-(N,N-diphenylamino)thiophene and 5-(tributylstannyl)-2-(diphenylamino)thiophene, as described in P. V. Bedworth, Y Cai, A. Jen, S. R. Marder, J. Org. Chem.1996, 61, 2242 except that carbazole (1a) was utilized instead of diphenylamine.

[0042] To a flask containing the crude 3a (0.84 g, 1.32 mmol, 85% purity), hexabromobenzene (0.11 g, 0.20 mmol) and PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂(21 mg, 0.030 mmol) was added 10 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide. The solution was stirred at 80° C. for 30 min, then 16 hours at 60° C., and then cooled. Methanol (20 mL) was added to precipitate the product and the ppt was recrystallized from CH₂Cl₂/hexane to give a white powdery compound (4a) (0.22 g, 85%).

[0043] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ=8.06 (d, 12H, J=7.6 Hz, C₆H₄), 7.26 (d, 12 H, J=8.2 Hz, C₆H₄), 7.20 (dd, 12H, J=7.6, 7.4 Hz, C₆H₄), 7.11 (d, 6H, J=3.6 Hz, SCCH), 7.06 (d, 6H, J=3.6 Hz, SCCH), 7.02 (dd, 12H, J=8.2, 7.4 Hz, C₆H₄); MS (FAB): m/z 1560 (M⁺); elemental analyses: calcd: C, 78.43; H, 3.87; N, 5.38; found: C, 78.24; H, 4.08; N, 5.51.

[0044] Compound 4a is crystalline and melts at 392° C. Its high decomposition temperature 590° C.) rivals that of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. (F. Morgenroth, E. Reuther, K. Müllen, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl.1997, 36, 631; M. Müller, S. I. Vivekanantan, C. Kübel, V. Enkelmann, K. Müllen, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl.1997, 36, 1607.)

[0045] The basic procedure used to make 4a was followed for the synthesis of compound 4b. Compound 4b was produced in 63% yield; the compound was a pale yellow powder.

[0046] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ=7.08 (dd, 12H, J=8.4, 7.2 Hz, meta-H of C₆H₅), 7.02 (dd, 12H, J=8.4, 1.3 Hz, ortho-H of C₆H₅), 6.98 (dd, 6H, J=7.7, 7.4 Hz, 5-H of C₆H₄Me), 6.87 (tt, 6H, J=7.2, 1.3 Hz, para-H of C₆H₅), 6.84 (s, 6H, 2-H of C₆H₅), 6.83 (d, 6H, J=7.7 Hz, 4-H of C₆H₄Me), 6.81 (d, 6H, J=7.4 Hz, 6-H of C₆H₄Me), 6.46 (d, 6H, J=3.6 Hz, J=3.6 Hz, SCCH), 6.42 (d, 6H, J=3.6 Hz, SCCH), 2.10 (s, 18H, CH₃); MS (FAB): m/z 1656 (M⁺); elemental analyses: calcd: C, 78.22; H, 5.11; N, 5.07; found: C, 78.08; H 5.26, N, 5.22.

[0047] The basic procedure used to make 4a was followed for the synthesis of compound 4c. Compound 4c was produced in 91% yield, as a yellow powder.

[0048] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ=7.87 (d, 6H, J=8.4, naph) 7.77 (d, 6H, J=8.2 Hz, naph), 7.65 (dd, 6H, J=7.6, 1.2 Hz, naph), 7.33 (ddd, 6H, J=8.2, 7.2, 1.2 Hz, naph), 7.26-7.15 (m, 18H, naph), 7.01 (dd, 12H, J=7.7, 7.7 Hz, meta-H of C₆H₅), 6.83 (dd, 12H, J=7.7, 1.1 Hz, ortho-H of C₆H₅), 6.80 (tt, 6H, J=7.7, 1.1 Hz, para-H of C₆H₅), 6.25 (d, 6H, J=4.0 Hz, SCCH), 6.23 (d, 6H, J=4.0 Hz, SCCH); MS (FAB): m/z 1872 (M⁺); elemental analyses: calcd: C, 80.74; H, 4.52; N, 4.48; found; C, 80.90; H, 4.71; N, 4.30.

[0049] The basic procedure used to make 4a was followed for the synthesis of compound 4d. Compound 4d was produced in 91% yield, as a yellow powder.

[0050] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ=7.11 (dd, 24H, J=7.8, 7.2 Hz, meta-H of C₆H₅), 7.02 (dd, 24H, J=7.8, 1.2 Hz, ortho-H of C₆H₅), 6.90 (tt, 12H, J=7.2, 1.2 Hz, para-H of C₆H₅), 6.45 (d, 6H, J=4.0 Hz, SCCH), 6.42 (d, 6H, J=4.0 Hz, C₆H₄); MS (FAB): m/z 1572 (M⁺); elemental analyses: calcd: C, 77.83; H, 4.61; N, 5.34; found: C, 77.39; H, 4.70; N, 5.04.

[0051] Compounds 4b-4d were a morphous and formed stable glasses, as shown below in Table 1. They were thermally stable (T_d379-473° C.) and had higher T_g(glass transition temperature) values than benzidine analogues 1,4-bis(diphenylamino)-biphenyl (T_g=77° C.), 1,4-bis(1-naphthylphenylamino)biphenyl (α-NPD, T_g=100° C.), and 1,4-bis(phenyl-m-tolylamino)biphenyl (TPD, T_g=60° C.). Both α-NPD and TPD are commonly used as hole transporting materials in organic light emitting devices.

[0052] Devices were prepared by vacuum deposition of 400 Å of compounds 4a-4d (as hole transporting layer), followed by 400 Å of Alq₃as emitting layer and electron-transporting layer (Alq₃=tris(8-quinolinolato)aluminum (C ), C. W. Tang, S. A. VanSlyke, App. Phys. Lett.1987, 51:913; J. Kido, Y. Lizumi, Chem. Lett.1997, 963) onto an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate. The deposition rate was 2-5 Å/s at 2×10⁻⁵Torr. An alloy of magnesium and silver (ca. 8:1, 500 Å), which served as the cathode, was deposited onto the organic layer by simultaneously evaporating from two different sources. The cathode was capped with 1000 Å of silver. For comparison, a device using 1,4-bis(1-naphthylphenylamino)biphenyl (NPD) as the hole transporting layer was also prepared.

[0053] Current-voltage (I-V) curves were measured on a Keithley 2000 Source Meter in an ambient environment. Light intensity (L) was measured with a Newport 1835 Optical Meter.

[0054] The I-V-L characteristics of the devices described above were determined. In all cases, green light emission from Alq₃at 520 nm was observed. While these devices are not optimized, it is seen that with the same device structure, performance characteristics such as turn on voltage (6-8 V), maximum luminescence (14000-20000 cd/m²) and external quantum efficiency (1.2-1.6%) of device s composed using the compounds of the invention are similar to those of the standard device (7 V, 25000 cd/m², 1.3%). This confirms that such materials can be used in fabricating EL devices.

[0055] From cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Osteryoung square wave voltammetry (OSWV) measurements, compounds 4a-d were found to exhibit a quasi-reversible six-electron redox process (as shown in Table 1), corresponding to removal of an electron from each of the diarylamines. The oxidation potential increased in the order of 4b (159 mV)<4d (164 mV)<4c (176 mV)<<4a (717 mV). This order may be due to the relative electron-withdrawing ability of the arenes to the nitrogen. Significantly, the oxidation potential of 4b was lower than that of TPD (ΔE_ox=155 mV), and the corresponding potential of 4c was less than that of Δ-NPD (ΔE_ox=166 mV). This outcome mostly likely stems from the incorporation of an electron rich thienyl ring to the nitrogen atom.

[0056] To obtain the data presented in Table 1, DSC measurements were carried out using a Perkin Elmer 7 series thermal analyzer at a heating rate of 10 degree/min. TGA measurements were performed on a Perkin Elmer TGA7 thermal analyzer. Electronic absorption spectra were obtained on a Perkin-Elmer Lambda 9 spectrometer. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Osteroung square wave voltammetry (ferrocene as internal standard) measurements were carried out in a three electrode and potentiostat configuration on a Bioanalytical System BAS 100B.

[0057] From the above description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.