NIR absorbing TCBD and DCNQ functionalized phenothiazines

Abstract

The 10H-Phenothiazine has a tricyclic structure consisting of two benzene rings fused to a central thiazine ring. Its chemical structure can be represented in Figure 1. The phenothiazine has a nonplanar shape, good photostability, and thermal stability. The colourless crystalline solid compound 10H-phenothiazine has an absorption maximum in dichloromethane at 316 nm. Phenothiazine can be functionalized by the nucleophilic substitution reaction at the nitrogen (N) position or electrophilic substitution reaction at positions 3 and 7. Phenothiazine derivatives exhibit high electron density and low reversible oxidation potential, making them suitable candidates for use in a variety of applications such as chemical sensors, photovoltaic devices, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).