Synthesis and characterization of near-infrared absorbing and fluorescent liquid-crystal chromophores

This work demonstrates that the donor-acceptor-donor charge-transfer chromophores can be tailor-made to be near-infrared absorbing and fluorescent, as well as being liquid crystals. The chromophore containing an extremely strong acceptor of benzo[1,2-c:4,5-c']bis([1,2,5]thiadiazole) can form a columnar mesophase that absorbs at 890 nm and emits at 1160 nm in the solid state. These chromophores are readily soluble in common organic solvents and can form thin films by casting or spin coating, making them suitable for further device applications.