Air-stable organic radicals in solid state from a triphenylamine derivative by UV irradiation

Abstract

Spin-delocalization and steric protection are commonly used and effective strategies to realize stable organic radicals. A bisheptamido-functionalized triarylamines derivative(T1) can enhance the stability of TPA photo-generated radical cations in air by supramolecular self-assembly and “push-pull” dipole structure to expand conjugation, so as to obtain air-stable solid free radicals with a lifetime of more than 60 days, which is based on the best record of the air-stabilized solid TPA radical cations. The preliminary studies demonstrate that T1 may be a promising candidate for organic semiconductor radical materials.