Predicting the UV-Vis spectra of tetraarylcyclopentadienones: Using DFT molecular orbital energies to model electronic transitions of organic materials

Tetraphenylcyclopentadienone, due to its intrinsically low HOMO-LUMO gap, has been suggested as a valuable repeat unit in conducting polymers for nanoscale electronics. The HOMO and LUMO of tetraphenylcyclopentadienone appear to be associated with the relevant pi orbitals of unsubstituted cyclopentadienone. Using previously developed carbonylative coupling reactions, a series of tetraarylcyclopentadienones was synthesized, accessing a range of substituents not previously available. The UV-vis spectra of these molecules were compared to their calculated wave functions and predicted transitions. A quantitative structure-activity relationship was discovered that may greatly simplify prediction of band gaps for oligomers and polymers built from these tetraarylcyclopentadienones.