Pyrene-cored blue-light emitting [4]helicenes: synthesis, crystal structures, and photophysical properties

The synthesis, crystal structures and photophysical properties of two types of pyrene-cored blue-light emitting [4]helicenes are reported, in which two naphthalene rings of condensed pyrenes were constructed resulting in helical architectures. The photophysical properties and electrochemical characteristics of these pyrene-cored [4]helicenes were fully investigated in both solutions and films, along with that of the pre-cyclization Q4 products, 4,9- and 4,10-(phenylethenyl)pyrenes.