Synthesis and evaluation of new isoquinoline diimide derivatives as small molecule acceptors for organic solar cells

In this work we explore the use of the method of oxidation and heterocyclization of naphthalene diimides (NDIs) to obtain five novel isoquinoline diimide derivatives ( IQDI 3 – 7 ) as new small molecule acceptors. These derivatives comprise a main core based on triphenylamine (TPA) as electron-donor linked to an isoquinoline diimide moiety as a new electron-acceptor ( IQDI 3 ). The effect on the electronic properties of a further functionalization on TPA achieving A-D-A architectures with additional electron acceptors moieties such as carbonyl group ( IQDI 4 ), 3-methylrhodanine ( IQDI 5 ), 1,3-indandione ( IQDI 6 ) and malononitrile ( IQDI 7 ) was studied. Their electrochemical and optoelectronic properties as well as their performance in photovoltaic devices using J52 as electron-donor polymer were studied being IQDI 6 the compound that showed the best PCE % value. • This work uses the method of oxidation and heterocyclization of NDI to obtain 5 novel isoquinoline diimide derivatives. • A-D-A architectures based on IQDI and TPA units endowed with different electron-acceptors are here studied. • This work gives valuable insights into the potential applications of the still unexplored isoquinoline diimides. • The electrochemical and optoelectronic properties of these compounds were thoroughly evaluated.