Rapid Synthesis of D-A'-π-A Dyes through a One-Pot Three-Component Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling and an Evaluation of their Photovoltaic Properties for Use in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Twenty-four D-A'-π-A dyes were rapidly synthesized through a one-pot three-component Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction, which was assisted by microwave irradiation. We measured the absorption spectra, electrochemical properties, and solar-cell performance of all the synthesized dyes. The D5 πA4 dye contained our originally designed rigid and nonplanar donor and exerted the highest efficiency at 5.4 %. The short-circuit current (Jsc ) was the most important parameter for the conversion efficiency (η) in the case of the organic D-A'-π-A dyes. Optimal ranges for the D-A'-π-A dyes were observed for high values of Jsc /λmax at λ=560-620 nm, an optical-absorption edge of λ=690-790 nm, and EHOMO and ELUMO values of <1.14 and -0.56 to -0.76 V, respectively.