Synthesis of a new class of highly fluorescent aryl-vinyl benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]difuran derivatives

The synthesis of 2-(2-arylvinyl)- and 2,6-di(2-arylvinyl)dibenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]furan derivatives for application in optoelectronics is described. Wittig reaction of the triphenylphosphonium bromides derived from diethyl 2,6-dimethylbenzofuro[5,6-b]furan-3,7-dicarboxylate with aryl aldehydes gave the products in 70–99% yield. The corresponding products derived from furfural and cinnamic aldehyde were also obtained. The prepared products reveal UV–Vis fluorescence with quantum yields, varying from 1% to 100%, and may be used as organic small molecule materials for organic light-emitting devices (OLED).