Unprecedented thermal condensation of tetracyanocyclopropanes to triazaphenalenes: a facile route for the design of novel materials for electronic applications.

We report an unusual thermal condensation of readily available tetracyanocyclopropanes to tetracyanosubstituted triazaphenalenes, which revealed interesting optoelectronic properties such as strongly pronounced solvatochromism and bright photoluminescence. Optical memory elements and organic light emitting diodes with a deep red electroluminescence were designed using triazaphenalenes, thus highlighting the potential of these compounds as materials for electronic applications.