Functionalization of ‘kite’ shaped styryl end-capped benzodithiophene with ketone groups: synthesis, characterization and properties

Abstract We report the synthesis of a new bridged end-capped distyryldithiophene with ketone groups on the bridge: E , E -2,7′-bis((2-phenyl)-ethenyl)-benzo[2,1- b :3,4- b ′]dithiophene-4,5-dione 1 . Optical and electrochemical properties of 1 in solution were investigated by UV–vis absorption and cyclic voltammetry and compared to the unsubstituted parent molecule ( KDS2T ). Morphology of 1 -based thin films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the crystalline structure characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thin films were implemented as active layers into organic thin-film transistors (OTFT) in top contact configuration to evaluate the charge transport properties.