Deep-blue emitting 9,10-bis(perfluorobenzyl)anthracene

A new deep-blue emitting and highly fluorescent anthracene (ANTH) derivative containing perfluorobenzyl (Bn_F) groups, 9,10-ANTH(Bn_F)₂, was synthesized in a single step reaction of ANTH or ANTH(Br)₂ with Bn_FI, using either a high-temperature Cu-/Na₂S₂O₃-promoted reaction or via a room-temperature photochemical reaction. Its structure was elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffractometry. The latter revealed no π-π interaction between neighboring ANTH cores. A combination of high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 0.85 for 9,10-ANTH(Bn_F)₂, its significantly improved photostability compared to ANTH and 9,10-ANTH derivatives, and a simple synthetic access makes it an attractive material as a deep-blue OLED emitter and an efficient fluorescent probe.