Dinaphtho[1,2-a:1′,2′-h]anthracene diimides: Synthesis, properties, and visualization of latent fingerprint application

Imide-functionalized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) endow fascinating optoelectronic properties, rendering them suitable for many applications. Developing these new kinds of functional materials is interesting and challenging. Dinaphtho[1,2-a:1′,2′-h]anthracene (DNphA), a non-planar S-shaped double helical helicene within the PAH class, has received relatively little research. In this contribution, a series of solution-processable DNphA diimide derivative dyes (M1∼M5) were designed and synthesized. The density functional theory calculation, photophysical and electrochemical properties of the new fluorescent dyes have been investigated. Notably, M5 was used as a fluorescent developer for latent fingerprint visualization, where fingerprints on different substrates displayed clear yellow-green fluorescence. This research provides insights into the efficient design strategy of the imide functionalization of DNphA and the synthesis and application of DNphA diimide-based functional dyes.