Novel n-channel organic semiconductor based on pyrene-phenazine fused monoimide and bisimides

Large π-conjugated pyrene-phenazine monoimide and bisimides were synthesized by imine condensation reaction. These imides form well ordered 1D nanotapes upon self-assembly in solution. Electrochemical and electric conductivity measurement reveal it can be served as an n-channel semiconductor with large charge carrier mobility up to 4.1 cm² V^-1 s^-1. Both alkylated imides are highly luminescent, and can be quenched via protonization using trifluoroacetic acid, which could be served as potential colorimetric acid sensors.