Synthesis of highly-soluble push–pull perylenemonoimide derivatives by regioselective peri-functionalization for switchable memory applications

A regioselective synthetic protocol is developed via tetrabromination of perylenemonoimide (PMI) which leads to a series of PMI derivatives. The push–pull characteristics of these derivatives are established by spectroscopic and theoretical investigations. Finally, the semiconducting properties of the PMI dyes are utilized for the development of a switchable memory device.