Exploration of the Photodegradation of Naphtho[2,3-g] quinoxalines and Pyrazino[2,3-b]phenazines

Nitrogen‐containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are very attractive compounds for organic electronics applications. Their low‐lying LUMO energies points towards a potential use as n‐type semiconductors. Furthermore, they are expected to be more stable under ambient conditions, which is very important for the formation of semiconducting films, where materials with high purity are needed. In this study, the syntheses of naphtho[2,3‐g]quinoxalines and pyrazino[2,3‐b]phenazines is presented by using reaction conditions, that provide the desired products in high yields, high purity and without time‐consuming purification steps. The HOMO and LUMO energies of the compounds are investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis spectroscopy and their dependency on the nitrogen content and the terminal substituents are examined. The photostability and the degradation pathways of the naphtho[2,3‐g]quinoxalines and pyrazino[2,3‐b]phenazines are explored by NMR spectroscopy of irradiated samples affirming the large influence of the nitrogen atoms in the acene core on the degradation process during the irradiation. Finally, by identifying the degradations products of 2,3‐dimethylnaphtho[2,3‐g]quinoxaline it is possible to track down the most reactive position in the compound and, by blocking this position with nitrogen, to strongly increase the photostability. Win–win situation: The photostability and degradation pathways of two compounds relevant for organic electronics applications are investigated by NMR spectroscopy. The degradation products have been characterised allowing the specific modification of the most reactive position and, by blocking this position with nitrogen (see figure), to strongly increase the photostability. This substitution is also beneficial in terms of the LUMO energy.