Synthesis and photophysical characterization of novel tri-(hetero)arylimidazoles

Abstract

A series of new tri-(hetero)arylimidazoles 2a-d were synthesized in moderate to excellent yields by condensation of diphenylethanedione with heterocyclic aldehydes 1a-d in the presence of ammonium acetate in glacial acetic acid. The photophysical properties were evaluated by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and revealed that the novel tri-(hetero)arylimidazoles 2 are highly emissive with Stokes’ shifts in the range 66-90 nm.