Electron-deficient molecules: photophysical, electrochemical, and thermal investigations of naphtho[2,3-f]quinoxaline-7,12-dione derivatives

In this work, we have prepared a series of 2,3-disubstituted naphtho[2,3-f]quinoxaline-7,12-dione derivatives by condensing 1,2-diaminoanthraquinone and various benzil compounds in glacial acetic acid with excellent yield and fully characterized. Optical properties of the synthesized compounds were studied in solvents of varying polarity and thin solid film. Electrochemical properties of the compounds were studied by the cyclic voltammetry. The ionization potentials (HOMO) and electron affinity (LUMO) were found to be in the range of −6.364 to −6.644 eV and −3.247 to −3.511 eV, respectively. Thermal investigations were carried out by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry.