Green synthesis of polycyclic benzimidazole derivatives and organic semiconductors.

Polycyclic benzimidazole derivatives, an important class of compounds in organic electronics and photovoltaics, were prepared using a solvent-free "green" process based on heating carboxylic acid anhydrides and arylene diamines in the presence of zinc acetate in the solid state. Products were isolated and purified directly by train sublimation of the crude reaction mixtures. The reaction conditions were optimized using various carboxylic acid anhydrides. Optical and electrochemical properties of these materials are also described.