Fluorescent Organic π‐Radicals Stabilized with Boron: Featuring a SOMO–LUMO Electronic Transition

Abstract

Abstract We report on the fluorescence properties of a new class of emissive and stable π‐radicals that contain a boron atom at a position distant from the radical center. A fully planarized derivative exhibited an intense red fluorescence with high fluorescence quantum yields ( Φ F >0.67) even in polar solvents. To elucidate the origin of this phenomenon, we synthesized another boron‐stabilized radical that contains a bulky aryl group on the boron atom. A comparison of these derivatives, as well as with conventional donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A)‐type emissive π‐radicals, unveiled several characteristic features in their photophysical properties. A theoretical analysis revealed that the SOMO–LUMO electronic transition generates an emissive D 1 state. Unlike conventional D–π–A‐type π‐radicals, this state does not undergo significant structural relaxation. The boron‐stabilized π‐radicals demonstrated promising potential for organic light‐emitting diodes as an emitting material.