Synthesis, Characterization and Unusual Near-Infrared Luminescence of 1,1,4,4-Tetracyanobutadienes

Abstract

<p> Two 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobutadiene (TCBD) derivatives were prepared by [2+2]cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization from ynamides bearing either a pyrene (<b>1</b>) or a perylene unit (<b>2</b>). In addition to panchromatic absorptions in <b>2</b>, in the solid state, both compounds unexpectedly display NIR photoluminescence that could be detected up to about 1350 nm. <br></p>