A new hybrid system comprising polydiacetylene (PDA), a chromatic conjugated polymer, embedded within aerogel pores has been constructed. The PDA-aerogel powder underwent dramatic color changes in the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), facilitated through infiltration of the gas molecules into the highly porous aerogel matrix and their interactions with the aerogel-embedded PDA units. The PDA-aerogel composite exhibited rapid color/fluorescence response and enhanced signals upon exposure to low VOC concentrations. Encapsulation of PDA derivatives displaying different headgroups within the aerogel produced distinct VOC-dependent color transformations, forming a PDA-aerogel "artificial nose".
Herein, we report the synthesis, spectroscopic, and structural properties of novel 2,3-dicyano-substituted azaacenes containing three to six annelated rings as a framework. The targets were prepared by Pd-catalyzed coupling of diamino-bis(tri-isopropylsilylethynyl)benzene, -naphthalene, and -anthracene with either 4,5-dibromophthalonitrile or 6,7-dibromonaphthalene-2,3-dicarbonitrile into the respective N,N'-dihydrodiazaacenes. Oxidation with MnO or PbO furnishes the dicyano-substituted diazaacenes in reasonable to good yields. An exception is the diazahexacene, where the N,N'-dihydrodiazaacene is difficult to oxidize. Most of the targets could be crystallized and pack in isolated pairs, stacks, and brick-wall motifs. The n-type behavior of these molecules was illustrated in a proof-of-concept organic field-effect transistor, showing mobilities up to 7×10 cm V s .
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.