High-Efficiency Light Emitters: 10-(Diphenylphosphoryl)-anthracenes from One-Pot Synthesis Including C–O–P to C–P(═O) Rearrangement

Abstract

We report a one-pot synthesis of 10-(diphenylphosphoryl)-anthracenes, featuring a rare multisubstitution on flanking rings with donor–acceptor groups (F, Br, CN, CF₃, MeO, OCH₂O) in 24–60% yields. Catalyzed by TMSOTf, the process involves a phosphinite-to-phosphine oxide rearrangement and cyclization. These emitters exhibit excellent photoluminescence quantum yields of up to 95% in both solution and solid states. Postsynthetic anthracene functionalization as well as the optoelectronic effect of substituents, particularly the Ph₂P═O group, and the aggregation effect in solid on the photophysical properties, were also explored.