Enhancing charge mobilities in self-assembled N⋯I halogen bonded organic semiconductors: A design approach based on experimental and computational perspectives

Abstract Charge transport in pyridine-ethynyliodophenyl supramolecules that involve intermolecular halogen bonding is studied by a combined experimental and computational approach. Selective fluorination of the molecules determines their crystallization pattern and is found to potentially increase the charge mobilities in the crystal. We report the synthesis of the molecules, full chemical characterization and resolved crystal structures. Computational analysis of the charge transport is provided to understand at the molecular level the structure-function relationships determining the charge mobilities. Combination of selective fluorination, halogen bonding motif and increased π system is highlighted as bearing the potential to achieve both enhanced hole and electron mobilities.