Synthesis of new 1,3,5-tris-styryl-benzene compounds with tunable photo- and electroluminescent properties

A new series of 1,3,5-tris-styryl-benzene compounds is obtained by Knoevenagel reaction of a 1,3,5-tris-cyanomethylene benzene derivative with three molecules of a substituted benzaldehyde. The synthesis starting from mesitylene, followed by bromomethylation or NBS-bromination, bromo-cyano exchange and a threefold condensation reaction leads to a conjugated system with different optical properties, depending on the substituent in the p-position (alkyl, alkoxy, amino). The photo- and electroluminescent properties are investigated.