Deuteration of molecules for neutron reflectometry on organic light-emitting diode thin films

作者：Darwish Tamim A^*; Smith Arthur R G; Gentle Ian R; Burn Paul L; Luks Emily; Moraes Greta; Gillon Marie; Holden Peter J; James Michael

来源：Tetrahedron Letters, 2012, 53(8): 931-935.

DOI：10.1016/j.tetlet.2011.12.032

• Hydrothermal deuteration
• Aromatic heterocycles
• Steric availability
• Organic light-emitting diode
• Neutron reflectometry

Deuterated forms of aromatic charge transporting heterocycles 2 and 3 used in organic light-emitting diodes have been produced by hydrothermal reactions, catalyzed by Pt/C or Pd/C. Comprehensive analysis by mass spectroscopy, H-1, H-2 and C-13 NMR enables determination of the overall quantity of D atoms present, as well as the level of deuteration at each molecular site. The roles of solubility and steric availability in deuteration are discussed in the light of these results. Neutron reflectometry indicates excellent scattering contrast between protonated and deuterated forms of these molecules, with nanoscale thin films showing the same density as in their bulk molecular forms. Although used for morphological studies of thin films typically used in OLEDs, the synthetic and analysis methods described here are generic and suitable for deuteration of other conjugated aromatic heterocycles and other optoelectronic devices.

• 出版日期2012-2-22