Supramolecular Gel Phase Controlled [4 + 2] Diels–Alder Photocycloaddition for Electroplex Mediated White Electroluminescence

Diels–Alder photocycloaddition of 9-phenyl­ethynyl­anthracene results in multiple [4 + 2] and [4 + 4] cycloaddition products in solution, which can be controlled to form specific products under a restricted environment. We have exploited the gel phase of a 9-phenylethynyl­anthracence derivative as a confined medium to specifically yield the [4 + 2] cycloadduct in >90% yield. The photocycloadduct (anti-form) exhibited a blue emission with CIE chromaticity of x = 0.16/y = 0.16. Construction of an organic light emitting device with the photocycloadduct, using a carbazole-based hole transporting host, resulted in white light emission with a CIE chromaticity of x = 0.33/y = 0.32. This observation not only highlights the use of gel chemistry to achieve the otherwise difficult to obtain photoproducts but also underlines their potential in optoelectronic device fabrication.