A planarized 9-phenylanthracene: a simple electron-donating building block for fluorescent materials.

A 9-phenylanthracene, constrained in a coplanar fashion by two methylene tethers, was synthesized and its optoelectronic properties were investigated. The rigid planarization increased its electron-donating character and induced a bathochromic shift of its absorption, as well as an increased molar absorption coefficient and intense fluorescence. These properties render this compound a promising building block for fluorescent materials.