Synthesis and structures of two novel indolo[3,2-b] carbazole derivatives

Indolocarbazole derivatives have already been reported to be good organic semiconductor candidates. The knowledge of the relationship between the structure and packing of molecules in crystal is indispensable in design of high performance organic semiconductor materials. Two new indolocarbazole derivatives, 2,8-dibromo-5,11-di-4-(isoindole-1,3-dione-2-yl)butyl]indolo3,2-b]carbazole (I) and 2,8,6,12-tetrabromo-5,11-di-(4-chlorobutyl)indolo3,2-b]carbazole (II) have been synthesized and the crystal structures have been studied. The dichloromethane solvate of (I), C₄₂H₃₂Br₂N₄O₄ · 2CH₂Cl₂, is monoclinic, space groups P2₁/n. Unit cell parameters are a = 11.6847(2), b = 12.6942(2), c = 13.7899(2) Å, β = 91.8220(10)°. Unlike other indolo3,2-b]carbazole derivatives, there is no any π–π stacking between the indolocarbazole backbone of two adjacent molecules in the crystal. Since the isoindole-1,3-dione-2-yl is introduced in 5- and 11-positions in the molecule, the intermolecular short contacts mainly localize in between the pendant groups of the neighboring indolocarbazole molecules. The compound (II) is also monoclinic with P2₁/c space groups. Unit cell parameters are a = 4.6427(9), b = 11.425(2), c = 24.511(4) Å, β = 93.47(1)°. In contrast with compound (I), the molecules of (II) possess strong face-to-face π–π stacking. The crystal structures were studied in detail. It is concluded that linear pedant groups benefit to co-facial π–π interaction. Additionally, the molecule electronic spectra were studied by quantum chemistry theoretical calculation.