氨基磺酸催化下三组分一锅法无溶剂合成苯并[4,5]咪唑并[1,2-a]嘧啶类衍生物

无溶剂条件下,用氨基磺酸催化芳香醛,2-氨基苯并咪唑和β-二羰基化合物的三组分反应,简单而方便地得到了苯并[4,5]咪唑并[1,2-a]嘧啶类衍生物.该法具有产率高,成本低廉,环境友好,适应性广简捷方便等优点.     

Synthesis and Spectral Characteristics of Novel Fluorescent Dyes Based on Pyrimido[4,5‐d] [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidine

Different derivatives of a novel heterocyclic system, i.e., pyrimido[4,5‐d] [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidine, are synthesized in moderate‐to‐good yields. These compounds exhibit excellent photochromism upon photoirradiation. The photophysical characterizations of these new compounds were evaluated by UV/VIS absorption and fluorescence emission studies. The emission spectra in various solvents are also presented and discussed. The changes are due to the intramolecular H‐bonding of pyrimido‐triazolo‐pyrimidine with H₂O, and photoinduced electron and general solvent effect. These compounds display high fluorescence quantum yields and are reported as new fluorophores.     

One‐pot Combinatorial Synthesis of Benzo[4,5]imidazo‐[1,2‐a]thiopyrano[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one Derivatives

A series of novel fused tetracyclic benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐a]thiopyrano[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives were synthesized via the reaction of aryl aldehyde, 2H‐thiopyran‐3,5(4H,6H)‐dione, and 1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐amine in glacial acetic acid. This protocol features mild reaction conditions, high yields and short reaction time.     

Synthesis and Biological Activities of 7‐Arylazo‐7H‐pyrazolo[5,1‐c][1,2,4] Triazol‐6(5H)‐Ones and 7‐Arylhydrazono‐7H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b] [1,3,4]thiadiazines

Two series of 7‐arylazo‐7H‐3‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)pyrazolo[5,1‐c][1,2,4]triazol‐6(5H)‐ones 4 and 7‐arylhydrazono‐7H‐3‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazines 7 were prepared via reactions of 4‐amino‐3‐mercapto‐5‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole 1 with ethyl arylhydrazono‐chloroacetate 2 and N‐aryl‐2‐oxoalkanehydrazonoyl halides 5 , respectively. A possible mechanism is proposed to account for the formation of the products. The biological activity of some of these products was also evaluated.     

Novel Regioselective Synthesis and Biological Activity of 6‐Phenylazo and 3,6‐Bis(arylazo)‐7‐hydroxy‐1H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidin‐5(4H)‐one

Treatment of 6‐hydroxy‐5‐phenylazo‐2‐thioxo‐4(1H)‐pyrimidinone 1 with a series of hydrazonoyl halides 2 and N,2‐diaryl‐diazinecarbohydrazonoyl halides 9 in dioxane in the presence of triethylamine under reflux furnishes 6‐phenylazo and 3,6‐bis(arylazo)‐7‐hydroxy‐1H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidin‐5(4H)‐one derivatives 7 and 10 , respectively. The biological activities of the products were evaluated.     

Piperidine‐Promoted Three‐Component Condensation: Synthesis of Chromene Heterocycles and Pyrazolotriazoles

Chromenes, the oxygen‐containing heterocyclic compounds, have a “special” place in biologically active natural products and in synthetic chemistry and in the fields of medicinal, agrochemical, cosmetic, and pigment industries. In this work, piperidine was used as a base catalyst for the convenient synthesis of 1,4‐dihydropyrano[2,3‐c ]pyrazole, 5,10‐dihydro‐4H‐benzo[g ]chromene, and pyrazolo[1,2‐a ] [1,2,4]triazole derivatives at ambient temperature. This methodology has several advantages including the use of easily accessible and inexpensive catalysts, short reaction times, high yields, convenient work‐up, and not needing column chromatography.     

Novel pendent thiophene side‐chained benzodithiophene for polymer solar cells

In this article, pendent thiophene (2‐butyl‐5‐octylthiophene) side chain is used to modify the backbone of the polymers containing benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT) and thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (TPD). Compared with the dodecyloxy side‐chained polymer (P1), pendent thiophene‐based polymers (P2 and P3) show similar number‐average molecular weight (M_n), polydispersity index, thermal stability (T_d ～ 334–337 °C), and optical band gaps ( ) (～1.8 eV). Polymer (P2)‐based BDT with pendent thiophene and ethylhexyl‐modified TPD shows relatively low‐lying HOMO energy level (?5.52 eV) and nearly 1 V high open circuit voltage (V_OC). The polymer solar cell devices based on three copolymers show power conversion efficiencies from 2.01% to 4.13%. The hole mobility of these polymers tested by space charge limited current method range from 3.4 × 10^?4 to 9.2 × 10^?4 cm²V^?1s^?1. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1558–1566     

Characterization of new metabolites from in vivo biotransformation of 2‐amino‐ 3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline in mouse by mass spectrometry

In studying the metabolic pathways underlying the mechanism of carcinogenesis of the heterocyclic amine of 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline (IQ), we recently found a new metabolite which gave an [M + H]⁺ ion of m/z 217 when subjected to electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive‐ion mode. Following ip injection of this metabolite of m/z 217 (designated as m/z 217) to beta‐naphthoflavone‐treated mice, 57% of the total radioactivity was recovered in a 24‐h mouse urine sample. HPLC separation followed by MS analysis indicates that the urine sample contained m/z 217 (36 ± 3% of total recovered radioactivity) and two other peaks that gave rise to the [M + H]⁺ ions of m/z 393 (31 ± 4%, designated as m/z 393) and m/z 233 (14 ± 1%, designated as m/z 233). Beta‐glucuronidase treatment of m/z 393 resulted in a radioactive peak corresponding to m/z 217. ESI in combination with various mass spectrometry techniques, including multiple‐stage mass spectrometry, exact mass measurements and H/D exchange followed by tandem mass spectrometry, was used for structural characterization. The urinary metabolites of m/z 217, 393 and 233 were identified as 1,2‐dihydro‐2‐amino‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline, 1,2‐dihydro‐2‐amino‐5‐O‐glucuronide‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline and 1,2‐dihydro‐2‐amino‐5,7‐dihydroxy‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline, respectively. Our results demonstrated that m/z 217 is biotransformed in vivo to m/z 393 by O‐glucuronidation and to m/z 233 by oxidation. The observation of these more polar metabolites relative to IQ suggests that they may arise from a previously undescribed detoxicification pathway. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A concise,efficient and versatile synthesis of amino‐substituted benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepines: synthesis and spectroscopic characterization,together with the molecular and supramolecular structures of three products and one intermediate

A concise, efficient and versatile synthesis of amino‐substituted benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepines is described: starting from a 5‐allyl‐4,6‐dichloropyrimidine, the synthesis involves base‐catalysed aminolysis followed by intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization. Four new amino‐substituted benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepines are reported, and all the products and reaction intermediates have been fully characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and the molecular and supramolecular structures of three products and one intermediate have been determined. In each of N,2,6,11‐tetramethyl‐N‐phenyl‐6,11‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepin‐4‐amine, C₂₂H₂₄N₅, (III), 4‐(1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl)‐6,11‐dimethyl‐6,11‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepine, which crystallizes as a 0.374‐hydrate, C₂₁H₁₉N₅·0.374H₂O, (VIIIa), and 6,7,9,11‐tetramethyl‐4‐(5‐methyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl)‐6,11‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepine, C₂₄H₂₅N₅, (VIIIc), the azepine ring adopts a boat conformation, but with a different configuration at the stereogenic centre in (VIIIc), as compared with (III) and (VIIIa). In the intermediate 5‐allyl‐6‐(1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl)‐N‐methyl‐N‐(4‐methylphenyl)pyrimidin‐4‐amine, C₂₂N₂₁N₅, (VIIb), the immediate precursor of 4‐(1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl)‐6,8,11‐trimethyl‐6,11‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepine, (VIIIb), the allyl group is disordered over two sets of atomic sites having occupancies of 0.688 (5) and 0.312 (5). The molecules of (III) are linked into chains by a C—H…π(pyrimidine) hydrogen bond, and those of (VIIb) are linked into complex sheets by three hydrogen bonds, one of the C—H…N type and two of C—H…π(arene) type. The molecules of the organic component in (VIIIa) are linked into a chain of rings by two C—H…π(arene) hydrogen bonds, and these chains are linked into sheets by the water components; a single weak C—H…N hydrogen bond links molecules of (VIIIc) into centrosymmetric R₂²(10) dimers. Comparisons are made with some related compounds.     

Synthesis,Anticancer, and QSAR Studies of 2‐Alkyl(aryl,hetaryl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐thione's and [1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5‐c]quinazoline‐2‐thione's Thioderivatives

Considering the frightening high level of mortality from cancer, studies of anticancer agents are vital nowadays. The 24 thioderivatives of 2‐alkyl(aryl)‐quinazolin‐4(3H)‐thiones and 20 thioderivatives of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]quinazoline‐2‐thiones were synthesized and evaluated for preliminary in vitro anticancer activity with subsequent in silico QSAR analysis. The substance 18 had the best results inhibiting growth of eight cancer cell lines: CCRF‐CEM of leukemia; SF‐539, SNB‐75, and U251 of CNS cancer; 786, RXF393, and UO‐31 of renal cancer; and MDA‐MB‐231/ATCC of breast cancer (?31.50 – 47.41% of cell growth) with low procancer effect. Calculated QSAR‐models for CCRF‐CEM of leukemia, T‐47D and HS 578T of breast cancer, and mean cell growth demonstrated good rate of anticancer activity prediction (r² = 0.7 – 0.8,  = 0.5 – 0.7).     

A Novel and Facile Synthesis of 2‐(Benzofuran‐2‐yl)benzo[h]quinoline‐3‐carboxylic Acid Derivatives

A simple and concise approach for the synthesis of a series of new heterocyclic systems of 2‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl)benzo[h]quinoline‐3‐carboxylic acid derivatives ( 3a–3g ) is described. The synthetic strategy features the one‐pot reaction of ethyl 2‐(chloromethyl)benzo[h]quinoline‐3‐carboxylate ( 2 ) with various substituted salicylaldehydes as well as 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde as a key step. The substrate 2 was prepared in good yield by a mild, efficient and direct reaction of 1‐naphthylamine ( 1 ) with Vilsmeier‐Haack reagent. The structures of all the new compounds were identified by spectral data and elemental analysis.     

Effects of alkyl side chain length of low bandgap naphtho[1,2‐c:5,6‐c′]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole‐based copolymers on the optoelectronic properties of polymer solar cells

Two donor‐π‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) type naphtho[1,2‐c:5,6‐c′]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole (NT)‐based conjugated copolymers (CPs), namely, PBDT‐TT‐DTNT‐HD and PBDT‐TT‐DTNT‐OD, containing different side chain length (2‐hexyldecyl, HD and 2‐octyldodecyl, OD) anchoring to thiophene π‐bridge between the two‐dimensional (2D) 5‐((2‐butyloctyl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT‐TT) unit and NT moiety are developed and fully characterized. The resultant two copolymers exhibited broader absorption in wide range of 300–820 nm and obviously deepened E_HOMO of approximately −5.50 eV. The effects of side chain length on film‐forming ability, absorption, energy levels, aggregation, dielectric constant (ɛ_r), mobility, morphology, and photovoltaic properties are further systematically investigated. It was found that the side chain length had little impact on solution‐processability, absorption, energy levels, and aggregation in CB solution of resultant CPs. However, tinily increasing side chain length promoted to form the more ordered structure of neat polymer film even if the corresponding ɛ_r decreased. As a result, the side‐chain‐extended PBDT‐TT‐DTNT‐OD:PC₇₁BM‐based device achieved 32% increased FF than that of PBDT‐TT‐DTNT‐HD:PC₇₁BM and thus the PCE was significantly raised from 3.99% to 5.21%, which were benefited from 2 times higher SCLC hole mobility, more favorable phase separation, and improved exciton dissociation. These findings could provide an important and valuable insight by side chain modulation for achieving efficient PSCs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2059–2071     

The Identification of a Novel Highly Condensed Pentacyclic Heteroaromatic Ring System 1,3,5,5b,6,8,10,10b‐Octaazacyclopenta[h,i]Aceanthrylene and its Application in the Synthesis of 5,7‐Substituted Pyrazolo[4,3‐d]Pyrimidines

Pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidines are of interest as potential kinase inhibitors. This article describes the formation of a novel highly conjugated, condensed, centrosymmetric heteroaromatic compound, 4,9‐dichloro‐2,7‐diisopropyl‐1,3,5,5b,6,8,10,10b‐octaazacyclopenta[h,i]aceanthrylene ( 3 ), during the chlorination of 5,7‐dihydroxypyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine ( 1 ) with phenylphosphonic dichloride. The nucleophilic attack of benzylamine on 3 afforded N‐benzyl‐5‐chloro‐3‐isopropyl‐1H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐7‐amine ( 6 ), which was further substituted to yield a pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine analogue of roscovitine, a well‐known cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor.     

Synthesis and photovoltaic performances of benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophene‐alt‐2,3‐diphenylquinoxaline copolymers pending functional groups in phenyl rings

Two donor/acceptor (D/A)‐based benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐alt‐2,3‐biphenyl quinoxaline copolymers of P 1 and P 2 were synthesized pending different functional groups (thiophene or triphenylamine) in the 4‐positions of phenyl rings. Their thermal, photophysical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties, as well as morphology of their blending films were investigated. The poly(4,8‐bis((2‐ethyl‐hexyl)oxy)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b'] dithiophene)‐alt‐(2,3‐bis(4′‐bis(N,N‐bis(4‐(octyloxy) phenylamino)‐ 1,1′‐biphen‐4‐yl)quinoxaline) ( P 2) exhibited better photovoltaic performance than poly(4,8‐bis((2‐ethylhexyl)oxy)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b'] dithiophene)‐alt‐(2,3‐bis(4‐(5‐octylthiophen‐2‐yl)phenyl)quinoxaline) ( P 1) in the bulk‐heterojunction polymer solar cells with a configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymers: [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM)/LiF/Al. A power conversion efficiency of 3.43%, an open‐circuit voltage of 0.80 V, and a short‐circuit current of 9.20 mA cm^?2 were achieved in the P 2‐based cell under the illumination of AM 1.5, 100 mW cm^?2. Importantly, this power conversion efficiency level is 2.29 times higher than that in the P 1‐based cell. Our work indicated that incorporating triphenylamine pendant in the D/A‐based polymers can greatly improved the photovoltaic properties for its resulting polymers.     

Similar molecular constitutions but different conformations and different supramolecular assemblies in two related fused tetracyclic benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepine derivatives

A simple and effective two‐step approach to tricyclic pyrimidine‐fused benzazepines has been adapted to give the tetracyclic analogues. In (RS)‐8‐chloro‐6‐methyl‐1,2,6,7‐tetrahydropyrimido[5′,4′:6,7]azepino[3,2,1‐hi]indole, C₁₅H₁₄ClN₃, (I), the five‐membered ring adopts an envelope conformation, as does the reduced pyridine ring in (RS)‐9‐chloro‐7‐methyl‐2,3,7,8‐tetrahydro‐1H‐pyrimido[5′,4′:6,7]azepino[3,2,1‐ij]quinoline, C₁₆H₁₆ClN₃, (II). However, the seven‐membered rings in (I) and (II) adopt very different conformations, with the result that the methyl substituent occupies a quasi‐axial site in (I) but a quasi‐equatorial site in (II). The molecules of (I) are linked by C—H...N hydrogen bonds to form C(5) chains and inversion‐related pairs of chains are linked by a π–π stacking interaction. A combination of a C—H...π hydrogen bond and two C—Cl...π interactions links the molecules of (II) into complex sheets. Comparisons are made with some similar fused heterocyclic compounds.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some 3-Substituted-5,6-dimethoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazol-2-one

Sixteen new compounds derived from the 2,3-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazol-2-one template with various side-chains in position-3 were synthesized and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. Antibacterial and antifungal screening of the compounds prepared showed that 5,6-dimethoxy-3-(2-oxo-propyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazol-2-one (3g) exhibited the highest activity.     

Synthesis and Neurotropic Activity of New Heterocyclic Systems: Pyridofuro[3,2-d]pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidines,Pyridofuro[3,2-d]pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines and Pyridofuro[3′,2′:4,5]pyrimido[1,2-a]azepines

Background: Neurotic disturbances, anxiety, neurosis-like disorders, and stress situations are widespread. Benzodiazepine tranquillizers have been found to be among the most effective antianxiety drugs. The pharmacological action of benzodiazepines is due to their interaction with the supra-molecular membrane GABA-a-benzodiazepine receptor complex, linked to the Cl-ionophore. Benzodiazepines enhance GABA-ergic transmission and this has led to a study of the role of GABA in anxiety. The search for anxiolytics and anticonvulsive agents has involved glutamate-ergic, 5HT-ergic substances and neuropeptides. However, each of these well-known anxiolytics, anticonvulsants and cognition enhancers (nootropics) has repeatedly been reported to have many adverse side effects, therefore there is an urgent need to search for new drugs able to restore damaged cognitive functions without causing significant adverse reactions. Objective: Considering the relevance of epilepsy diffusion in the world, we have addressed our attention to the discovery of new drugs in this field Thus our aim is the synthesis and study of new compounds with antiepileptic (anticonvulsant) and not only, activity. Methods: For the synthesis of compounds classical organic methods were used and developed. For the evaluation of biological activity some anticonvulsant and psychotropic methods were used. Results: As a result of multistep reactions 26 new, five-membered heterocyclic systems were obtained. PASS prediction of anticonvulsant activity was performed for the whole set of the designed molecules and probability to be active Pa values were ranging from 0.275 to 0.43. The studied compounds exhibit protection against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizures, anti-thiosemicarbazides effect as well as some psychotropic effect. The biological assays evidenced that some of the studied compounds showed a high anticonvulsant activity by antagonism with pentylenetetrazole. The toxicity of compounds is low and they do not induce muscle relaxation in the studied doses. According to the study of psychotropic activity it was found that the selected compounds have an activating behavior and anxiolytic effects on the models of “open field” and “elevated plus maze” (EPM). The data obtained indicate the anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) activity of the derivatives of pyrimidines, especially pronounced in compounds 6n, 6b, and 7c. The studied compounds increase the latent time of first immobilization on the model of “forced swimming” (FST) and exhibit some antidepressant effect similarly to diazepam. Docking studies revealed that compound 6k bound tightly in the active site of GABA_A receptor with a value of the scoring function that estimates free energy of binding (ΔG) at −7.95 kcal/mol, while compound 6n showed the best docking score and seems to be dual inhibitor of SERT transporter as well as 5-HT_1A receptor. Conclusions: Тhe selected compounds have an anticonvulsant, activating behavior and anxiolytic effects, at the same time exhibit some antidepressant effect.     

Xanthan Sulfuric Acid: An Efficient Bio‐supported and Recyclable Solid Acid Catalyst for the Synthesis of 2‐Aryl Thiadiazolo Benzimidazoles

Xanthan sulfuric acid is an efficient solid acid catalyst for the preparation of 2‐aryl benzimidazoles in excellent yields. This method is applicable for the reaction of benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole‐4,5‐diamine with aldehydes by simple physical grinding at room temperature. The salient features of the present methodology is cheaper process, easy synthesis of stable catalyst and the catalyst can be easily recycled without significant loss of activity.     

Synthesis of New Fused and Spiro Heterocyclic Systems from 3,5‐Pyrazolidinediones

4‐Bromo‐1‐phenyl‐3,5‐pyrazolidinedione 2 reacted with different nucleophilic reagents to give the corresponding 4‐substituted derivatives 3–8 . The cyclized compounds 9–11 were achieved on refluxing compounds 3 , 4 or 6_a in glacial acetic acid or diphenyl ether. 4,4‐Dibromo‐1‐phenyl‐3,5‐pyrazolidinedione 12 reacted with the proper bidentates to give the corresponding spiro 3,5‐pyrazolidinediones 13–15 , respectively. The 4‐aralkylidine derivatives 16_a‐c , were subjected to Mannich reaction to give Mannich bases 17_a‐c‐22_a‐c , respectively. 4‐(p‐Methylphenylaminomethylidine)‐1‐phenyl‐3,5‐pyrazolidinedione 23 or 4‐(p‐methylphenylazo)‐1‐phenyl‐3,5‐pyrazolidinedione 29 were prepared and reacted with active nitriles, cyclic ketones and N,S‐acetals to give pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole, pyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole, spiropyrazole‐4,3′‐pyrazole and spiropyrazole‐4,3′‐[1,2,4]triazolane derivatives 24–34 , respectively.     

Effects of donor unit and π‐bridge on photovoltaic properties of D–A copolymers based on benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐c']‐dithiophene‐4,8‐dione acceptor unit

A series of donor‐π‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) conjugated copolymers ( PBDT‐AT, PDTS‐AT, PBDT‐TT , and PDTS‐TT ), based on benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐c']dithiophene‐4,8‐dione (BDD) acceptor unit with benzodithiophene (BDT) or dithienosilole (DTS) as donor unit, alkylthiophene (AT) or thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (TT) as conjugated π‐bridge, were designed and synthesized for application as donor materials in polymer solar cells (PSCs). Effects of the donor unit and π‐bridge on the optical and electrochemical properties, hole mobilities, and photovoltaic performance of the D‐π‐A copolymers were investigated. PSCs with the polymers as donor and PC₇₀BM as acceptor exhibit an initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.46% for PBDT‐AT , 2.62% for PDTS‐AT , 0.82% for PBDT‐TT , and 2.38% for PDTS‐TT . After methanol treatment, the PCE was increased up to 5.91%, 3.06%, 1.45%, and 2.45% for PBDT‐AT, PDTS‐AT, PBDT‐TT , and PDTS‐TT , respectively, with significantly increased FF. The effects of methanol treatment on the photovoltaic performance of the PSCs can be ascribed to the increased and balanced carrier transport and the formation of better nanoscaled interpenetrating network in the active layer. The results indicate that both donor unit and π‐bridge are crucial in designing a D‐π‐A copolymer for high‐performance photovoltaic materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1929–1940