Benzil and its derivatives have been widely studied for their luminescence properties, but the effects of ortho- and meta-substituents on photophysical properties have yet to be explored. Here, ortho-, meta- and para-substituted benzil derivatives are accessed via an organocatalytic pinacol coupling of substituted benzaldehydes, and ortho- and meta-substituents are shown to significantly influence the electronic state and luminescence properties of benzil.
- Masamichi Yasui
- Takashi Fujihara
- Shuhei Higashibayashi
