CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a PCT International application which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/692,384 filed August 23, 2012 and U.S. Application Serial No. 13/950,720 filed July 25, 2013, entitled "Benzobisthiazole Building Blocks for Conjugated Polymers," both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR

DEVELOPMENT

[0002] None.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A weak donor moiety which can be used in the synthesis of novel push-pull conjugated copolymers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A solar cell is an electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. It is a form of photoelectric cell (in that its electrical characteristics— e.g. current, voltage, or resistance— vary when light is incident upon it) which, when exposed to light, can generate and support an electric current without being attached to any external voltage source.

[0005] The efficiency of a solar cell may be broken down into reflectance efficiency, thermodynamic efficiency, charge carrier separation efficiency and conductive efficiency. The overall efficiency is the product of each of these individual efficiencies.

[0006] Bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells have emerged as an attractive type of cost- effective solar energy-electrical power transforming device. Recently, great progress in the development of new photo-harvesting materials and device optimizations have been achieved in this field, resulting in the significant improvement of the power conversion efficiencies of polymer solar cells from around 1% to higher than 8.0%. The rational design and fine tailoring of the molecular structures of donor polymers significantly contributed to these prominent advances. Among all kinds of donor polymers, push-pull conjugated polymers, which consist of alternating electron-rich and election-deficient units have been most extensively developed and have dominated the library of donor materials for polymer solar cells, because their inti'insic optical and electronic properties can be readily tuned to the desired situation by controlling the intramolecular charge transfer from donor unit to acceptor unit.

[0007] Ideal conjugated polymers as donors for solar cells should have a narrow band gap for a broad light absoiption, a deep highest occupied molecular orbital for a high open-circuit voltage, and a high charge mobility for a low series resistance. A push-^pull strategy to achieve these types of conjugated polymers is to combine a weak electron-rich moiety with a strong electron-deficient moiety.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] A composition having the structure comprising:

[0009] wherein Z is a halogen; wherein X is selected from the group consisting of N, O, P, S, and Se; wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of N, O, P, S and Se; and wherein R is an n-alkane chain.

[0010] In yet another embodiment the composition has a structure comprising:

[0011] In one embodiment the composition is prepared by: [0012] (a) synthesizing 2,5-dihyxylbenzene-l,4-diamine from 1,4-dibromohexyl benzene;

[0013] (b) synthesizing 1,1'-(2,5-dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea) from 2,5- dihyxylbenzene- 1 ,4-diamine;

[0014] (c) synthesizing 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine from 1,1'- (2,5-dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea); and

[0015] (d) synthesizing 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole) from 4,8- dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine.

[0016] In yet another embodiment the composition is prepared by:

[0017] (a) synthesizing 2,5-dihyxylbenzene-l,4-diamine from 1 ,4-dibromohexyl benzene;

[0018] (b) synthesizing Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 - dihexyl-1,4- phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonothioyl))dibenzamide from 2,5-dihyxylbenzene-1,4- diamine;

[0019] (c) synthesizing 1,1'-(2,5-dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea) from Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 - dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonothioyl))dibe nzamide;

[0020] (d) synthesizing 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine from 1,1'- (2,5-dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea); and

[0021] (e) synthesizing 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole) from 4,8- dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] A more complete understanding of the present invention and benefits thereof may be acquired by referring to the follow description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] Figure la depicts a ¹ H NMR spectrum of 2,5-dihyxylbenzene-l,4-diamine in CDCl ₃ .

[0024] Figure 1b depicts a ChemDraw-simulated ¹ H NMR spectrum of 2,5-dihyxylbenzene-1,4-diamine.asd

[0025] Figure 2a depicts a ¹³ C NMR spectrum of 2,5-dihyxylbenzene- 1 ,4-diamine in CDC13.

[0026] Figure 2b depicts a ChemDraw-simulated 13C NMR spectrum of 2,5- dihyxylbenzene- 1,4-diamine.

[0027] Figure 3a depicts a 1H NMR spectrum of Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 - dihexyl-1,4- phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonothioyl))dibenzamide in CDCl _3. [0028] Figure 3b depicts a ChemDraw- simulated 1H NMR spectrum of Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 - dihexyl-l _; 4-phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonothioyl))dibenzam ide.

[0029] Figure 4 depicts a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) spectrum of Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 - dihexyl-1,4- phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonothioyl))dibenzamide.

[0030] Figure 5a depicts a ¹ H NMR spectrum of l,r-(2,5-dihexyl-l,4- phenylene)bis(thiourea) in CDCl ₃ .

[0031] Figure 5b depicts a ChemDraw-simulated ¹ H NMR spectrum of l,l '-(2,5-dihexyl- 1 ,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea) .

[0032] Figure 6a depicts a 1H NMR spectrum of 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l ,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)- 2,6-diamine in CDCl ₃ .

[0033] Figure 6b depicts a ChemDraw-simulated 1H NMR spectrum of 4,8- dihexylbenzo[ 1 ,2-d : 4 , 5 -d ' ] bis(thiazole)-2 ,6-diamine.

[0034] Figure 7 depicts a MALDI-TOF MS spectrum of 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5- d'] bis(thiazole)-2 , 6-diamine .

[0035] Figure 8a depicts a ¹ H NMR spectrum of 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5- d']bis(thiazole) in CDCl ₃ .

[0036] Figure 8b depicts a ChemDraw-simulated ¹ H NMR spectrum of 2,6-dibromo-4,8- dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole).

[0037] Figure 9a depicts a ¹³ C NMR spectrum of 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5- d']bis(thiazole) in CDCl ₃ .

[0038] Figure 9b depicts a ChemDraw-simulated ¹³ C NMR spectrum of 2,6-dibromo-4,8- dihexylbenzo [l,2-d:4,5-d'] bis(thiazole).

[0039] Figure 10 depicts MALDI-TOF MS spectrum of 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2- d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole).

[0040] Figure 11 depicts a gas chromotography analysis result of 2,6-dibromo-4,8- dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole).

[0041] Figure 12 depicts a mass spectroscopy spectrum of 2,6-dibromo-4,8- dihexylbenzo[l ,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole). [0042] Figure 13 depicts the results of a thin layer chromatography of 2,6-dibromo-4,8- dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole), 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)- 2,6-diamine and the reaction mixture of Example 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Turning now to the detailed description of the preferred arrangement or arrangements of the present invention, it should be understood that the inventive features and concepts may be manifested in other arrangements and that the scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described or illustrated. The scope of the invention is intended only to be limited by the scope of the claims that follow.

[0044] One embodiment of the disclosure comprises a composition having the following structure:

[0045] In one embodiment Z can be any known halogen. Halogen elements are currently known to be a series of nonmetal elements from group 17 of the periodic table. These elements include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine.

[0046] In one embodiment X can be any nonmetal element such as nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, or selenium.

[0047] In another embodiment Y can be any nonmetal element such as nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, or selenium.

[0048] Although not required, in one embodiment X and Y are different elements.

[0049] In one embodiment R is a n-alkane chain. The n-alkane chain can be 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or even 10 carbon chains long. In other embodiments the n-alkane chain can be greater than 10, 15, 20 even 35 carbon chains long. [0050] In yet another embodiment the disclosure comprises a composition having the structure comprising:

[0051] In one embodiment the composition is 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5- d']bis(thiazole).

[0052] It is theorized that one way of defining the composition is by its process involving:

[0053] (a) synthesizing 2, 5-dihyxylbenzene-l ,4-diamine from 1 ,4-dibromohexyl benzene;

[0054] (b) synthesizing Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 - dihexyl-1,4- phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonothioyl))dibenzamide from 2,5 -dihyxylbenzene- 1 ,4- diamine;

[0055] (c) synthesizing l,l'-(2,5-dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea) from Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonothioyl))dibe nzamide;

[0056] (d) synthesizing 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine from 1,1'- (2,5-dihexyl- 1 ,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea); and

[0057] (e) synthesizing 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole) from 4,8- dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine.

[0058] In another embodiment another way of defining the composition is by its process involving:

[0059] (a) synthesizing 2,5-dihyxylbenzene-l,4-diamine from 1 ,4-dibromohexyl benzene;

[0060] (b) synthesizing l,l '-(2,5-dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea) from 2,5- dihyxylbenzene- 1,4-diamine ;

[0061] (c) synthesizing 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine from 1,1'- (2,5-dihexyl-l ,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea); and

[0062] (d) synthesizing 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole) from 4,8- dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine.

[0063] The following examples of certain embodiments of the invention are given. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, one of many embodiments of the invention, and the following examples should not be read to limit, or define, the scope of the invention.

[0064] Example 1 : Preparation of 2,5-dihyxylbenzene-l,4-diamine from 1,4-dibromohexyl benzene.

[0065] A toluene (400 mL) solution of benzophenoeimine (18.1 g, 100 mmol), 1,4-dibromo- hexyl benzene (20 g, 50 mmol), t-BuONa (10 g), and (DPPF) ₂ PdCl ₂ (2 g) was refluxed under argon. The mixture was refluxed for 72 hours and then cooled to room temperature. Water (70 mL) and aqeous HC1 (37%, 70 mL) were added to the mixture, which was then refluxed for 10 hours and cooled to room temperature. The solvent was removed by rotary evaporator. The solid was stirred with ethyl ether (300 mL) for 2 days, then filtered, washed with a small amount of ether, and dried, which was stirred in ether (200 mL) with aqueous NaOH (5M, 300 mL). The ether phase was separated and dried over MgS0 ₄ and run through a short, silica gel column (6 cm x 6 cm). The solvent was removed to leave a dark brown solid, which was dissolved in ethanol (50 mL). After sitting overnight, 2,5-dihyxylbenzene-l,4-diamine needles had formed in the solution. The needles were collected through filtration (yield: 6 g, 43%).

[0066] Figure la depicts a ¹ H NMR spectrum of 2,5-dihyxylbenzene-l,4-diamine in CDCl ₃ .

[0067] Figure lb depicts a ChemDraw-simulated 1H NMR spectrum of 2,5-dihyxylbenzene- 1,4-diamine.

[0068] Figure 2a depicts a ¹³ C NMR spectrum of 2,5-dihyxylbenzene- 1 ,4-diamine in CDCl ₃ .

[0069] Figure 2b depicts a ChemDraw-simulated 13C NMR spectrum of 2,5- dihyxylbenzene- 1 ,4-diamine.

[0070] Example 2: Preparation of Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 - dihexyl-1,4- phenylene)bis(azanediyI))bis(carbonothioyl))dibenzamide from 2,5-dihyxylbenzene- 1 ,4- diamine.

[0071] Benzoyl chloride (100 mg, 0.08 mL) was added dropwise by syringe to a solution of NH ₄ SCN (61 mg, 0.80 mmol) in dry acetone (50 mL). The mixture was stirred at reflux temperature (60 °C) for 20 minutes. Afterwards, an acetone (20 mL) solution of 2,5- dihexylbenzene-l,4-diamine (76 mg, 0.28 mmol) was added by syringe. The mixture was refluxed for another 2 hours before it was cooled to room temperature. The mixture was poured into ice and stirred for 30 minutes. The precipitate was filtered and washed with water (50 mL) and dried in air. The solid was re-dissolved in THF (100 mL) to give a light yellow solution. A saturated aqueous solution of KOH (10 mL) was added dropwise. The solution changed the color from light yellow through greenish yellow to clear light yellow solution. After 30 minutes, the solution was poured into an aqueous HCL solution (3.6 M, 100 mL) with ice. Ammonium aqueous solution was added dropwise to reach a pH of 10. The precipitate was filtered and dried in air (yield: 100mg, 73%).

[0072] Figure 3a depicts a ¹ H NMR spectrum of Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 - dihexyl-1,4- phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonothioyl))dibenzamide in CDCl ₃ .

[0073] Figure 3b depicts a ChemDraw- simulated ¹ H NMR spectrum of Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 - dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonothioyl))dibe nzamide.

[0074] Figure 4 depicts a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) spectrum of Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 - dihexyl-1,4- phenylene)bi s(azanediyl))bi s(carbonothioyl)) dibenzamide.

[0075] Example 3: Preparation of l,l'-(2,5-dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea) from Ν,Ν' - (((2,5— dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonothioyl))dibe nzamide

[0076] Aqueous HC1 (31 mL) was added to an ethanol (50 mL) suspension of 2,5- dihyxylbenzene-l,4-diamine (3.5 g, 12.7 mmol) at room temperature. The mixture was heated at 50 °C for 1 day. Ammonium thiocyanate (3.8 g, 50 mmol) was added to the mixture. The mixture was then heated at 100 °C for another day. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and filtered. The solid was dried in air (yield: 2.0 g).

[0077] Example 4: Preparation of 1,1'-(2,5-dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea) from Ν,Ν' -

(((2,5— dihexyl-1 ,4-phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonothioyl))dibenzamide.

[0078] Ν,Ν' - (((2,5 - dihexyl-l,4-phenylene)bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonomioyl))diben zamide

(100 mg, 0.17 mmol) was re-dissolved in THF (100 mL). A saturated aqueous solution of KOH

(10 mL) was added dropwise. After 30 minutes, the solution was poured into an aqueous HCL solution (3.6 M, 100 mL) with ice. Ammonium aqueous solution was added dropwise to reach a pH of 10. The precipitate was filtered and dried in air (yield: 33 mg, 50%).

[0079] Figure 5a depicts a 1H NMR spectrum of l,l '-(2,5-dihexyl-l,4- phenylene)bis(thiourea) in CDCl ₃ .

[0080] Figure 5b depicts a ChemDraw-simulated ¹ H NMR spectrum of l,l'-(2,5-dihexyl- 1 ,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea). [0081] Example 5: Preparation of 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine from 1,1 '-(2.5 -dihexyl- 1 ,4-phenylene)bi s(thiourea)

[0082] An anhydrous CHC13 solution (150 mL) of Br ₂ (1.92 g, 12 mmol) was added to an anhydrous CHC1 ₃ (200 mL) solution, 1, l'-(2,5 -dihexyl- l,4-phenylene)bis(thiourea) at room temperature dropwise over a period of 30 minutes by using an addition funnel. The mixture slowly turned to red- orange while being stirred for 24 hours. The mixture was then refluxed at 60 °C for 24 hours. After refluxing, the mixture turned yellow-orange. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then washed with an aqueous sodium bisulfite solution (50 mL) by using a separation funnel. The organic layer was separated, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The yellow solid was washed with concentrated aqueous ammonium and water. Afterward, the solid was recrystallized from glacial acetic acid to give a light yellow solid (yield: 2 g, 80%).

[0083] Figure 6a depicts a 1H NMR spectrum of 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4 _! 5-d']bis(thiazole)- 2,6-diamine in CDCl ₃ .

[0084] Figure 6b depicts a ChemDraw-simulated 1H NMR spectrum of 4,8- dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine.

[0085] Figure 7 depicts a MALDI-TOF MS spectrum of 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5- d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine.

[0086] Example 6: Preparation of 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[1,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole) from 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine.

[0087] A i-butyl nitrite liquid (31 mg, 0.3 mmol) was added to an anhydrous CH ₃ CN (40 mL) of CuBr ₂ (54 mg, 0.24 mmol). A solid of 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6- diamine (78 mg, 0.2 mmol) was added to the mixture portion- wise. The mixture was then refluxed at 65 °C for 1 hour. Afterward, the reaction mixture was cooled and then poured into aqueous hydrochloric acid (20%, 200 mL) and extracted with CH ₂ Cl ₂ (150 mL). The organic solution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After filtration, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to give a dark solid, which was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, toluene) to provide the product as a light red crystalline solid (yield: 51 mg, 50%).

[0088] Figure 8a depicts a 1H NMR spectrum of 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5- d']bis(thiazole) in CDCl ₃ . [0089] Figure 8b depicts a ChemDraw-simulated 1H NMR spectrum of 2,6-dibromo-4,8- dihexylbenzo [ 1 ,2-d : 4, 5 -d' ]bis(thiazole) .

[0090] Figure 9a depicts a ¹³ C NMR spectrum of 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5- d']bis(thiazole) in CDCl ₃ . Figure 9b depicts a ChemDraw-simulated C NMR spectrum of 2,6- dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole).

[0091] Figure 10 depicts MALDI-TOF MS spectrum of 2,6-dibromo-4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2- d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole).

[0092] Figure 11 depicts a gas chromotography analysis result of 2,6-dibromo-4,8- dihexylbenzo [l,2-d:4,5-d'] bis(thiazole) .

[0093] Figure 12 depicts a mass spectroscopy spectrum of 2,6-dibromo-4,8- dihexylbenzo [ 1 ,2-d: 4, 5 -d' ]bis(thiazole) .

[0094] Figure 13 depicts the results of a thin layer chromatography of 2,6-dibromo-4,8- dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole), 4,8-dihexylbenzo[l,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diamine and the reaction mixture of Example 5.

[0095] In closing, it should be noted that the discussion of any reference is not an admission that it is prior art to the present invention, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. At the same time, each and every claim below is hereby incorporated into this detailed description or specification as an additional embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Although the systems and processes described herein have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Those skilled in the art may be able to study the preferred embodiments and identify other ways to practice the invention that are not exactly as described herein. It is the intent of the inventors that variations and equivalents of the invention are within the scope of the claims while the description, abstract and drawings are not to be used to limit the scope of the invention. The invention is specifically intended to be as broad as the claims below and their equivalents.