Aggregation behavior of amide-functionalized perylene bisimides with branched alkyl side chains

Abstract

Perylene bisimides (PBIs)-based molecules have attracted attention due to their excellent n-type semiconductor properties, and it is known that PBIs with alkyl side chains can construct various assembly states by π-π stacking. Here, we report PBIs with amide groups at the imide position and “branched” alkyl side chains at the end of the molecules. The PBIs showed layered, columnar, and spherical assembly depending on the number of branched side chains and carbons. Significantly, unlike PBI superstructures with linear side chains, the branching of the side chains allows stable spherical assembly over a wide temperature range, including room temperature.