Semiconducting charge-transfer complexes from oxidation of 1,5-diaminoanthraquinone

Semiconducting coordination complexes have been synthesized by the oxidation of 1,5-diaminoanthraquinone (1,5-DAAQ) using Cu(NO3)2, CuCl, Ni(NO3)2, AgNO3, PdCl2, FeCl3 and ceric ammonium nitrate. Anionic oxidants like K2S2O8 and KIO4 also oxidize 1,5-DAAQ in the presence of Cu2+. The oxidized 1,5-DAAQ complexes with neutral 1,5-DAAQ form charge-transfer (CT) complexes which are semiconducting. Maximum conductivity is exhibited by copper complexes. Extraction of these CT complexes with acetone results in loss of neutral 1,5-DAAQ and decreased conductivity. Variable temperature conductivity measurements reveal their semiconducting nature.