Benzyl and Fluorinated Benzyl Side Chains for Perylene Diimide Non-Fullerene Acceptors

The synthesis and characterization of three N-annulated perylene diimide dimers with benzyl based side-chains is reported. Benzyl, 4-fluorobenzyl, and pentafluorobenzyl groups are used as side chains at the pyrrolic N-atom position of the N-annulated perylene diimide chromophore. All three compounds were used as non-fullerene acceptors in polymer based organic solar cells. Power conversion efficiencies upwards of 5.8% were achieved for both benzyl and 4-fluorobenzyl substituted acceptors, with different donor polymers.