Harnessing Direct (Hetero)Arylation in Pursuit of a Saddle-Shaped Perylene Diimide Tetramer Josh D. B. Koenig Audrey Laventure Gregory C. Welch 10.1021/acsaem.9b01978.s001 https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Harnessing_Direct_Hetero_Arylation_in_Pursuit_of_a_Saddle-Shaped_Perylene_Diimide_Tetramer/10354265 This contribution explores the direct (hetero)­arylation (DHA) cross-coupling of a saddle-like, π-conjugated cyclooctatetrathiophene (<b>Th</b><sub><b>4</b></sub>) core with the N-annulated perylene diimide (PDI) chromophore. Replacing the bulky pivalic acid with acetic acid enabled a facile cross-coupling, selectively forming a PDI tetramer (<b>Th</b><sub><b>4</b></sub><b>PDI</b><sub><b>4</b></sub>) in a 70% overall yield. The optoelectronic properties of <b>Th</b><sub><b>4</b></sub><b>PDI</b><sub><b>4</b></sub> were characterized and density functional theory (DFT) was used to calculate the optimized molecular geometry and molecular orbitals (MOs). Energy levels of MOs determined by cyclic voltammetry corresponded well with those calculated using DFT. The molecular geometry calculated by DFT showed <b>Th</b><sub><b>4</b></sub><b>PDI</b><sub><b>4</b></sub> adopts two separate PDI–PDI conformations (propeller and double-decker). Organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices were fabricated using a blend of PTB7-Th/<b>Th</b><sub><b>4</b></sub><b>PDI</b><sub><b>4</b></sub>, where an initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.89% was improved by testing a series of solvent additives and thermal annealing techniques. Through use of 3% (v/v) 1-chloronaphthalene additive, a combination of higher short circuit current (<i>J</i><sub>sc</sub> = 10.2 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>) and fill factor (FF = 42%) led to an overall increase in PCE to 4.26%. 2019-11-19 17:04:01 MO Saddle-Shaped Perylene Diimide Tetramer PTB 7-Th Th 4 PDI 4 Energy levels acetic acid optoelectronic properties PDI tetramer annealing techniques power conversion efficiency PCE pivalic acid OPV cyclic voltammetry Organic photovoltaic FF DFT Th 4 PDI 4 J sc DHA Th 4 N-annulated perylene diimide