Synthesis, optical, electrochemical, and computational investigation of new cyanopyridine-centered organic dyads.

Herein we report the molecular design, synthesis, and inclusive investigation of four novel di-anchored symmetric dyes (CP 1-4) centered on electron deficient cyanopyridine scaffold as possible photosensitizers for DSSC application. These new chromogens (CP 1-4) comprise a powerful electron-withdrawing cyanopyridine moiety linked with additional electron attracting functionalities such as cyanoacetic acid (CP 1), 3-(carboxymethyl) rhodanine (CP 2), 2,4,6-pyrimidinetrione (CP 3), and 2,6-dihydroxy-2-mercaptopyrimidine (CP 4), as effective acceptor/anchoring units via biphenyl donor units. Their in-depth optical and electrochemical behaviour were investigated to assess their suitability as photosensitizers. Further, the molecular modeling calculations were undertaken to understand their ground state properties and energy level potentials. The comprehensive studies revealed that they own all the requisites to performance as a potential photosensitizer for DSSC application. Four new metal-free novel di-anchored cyanopyridine-centered symmetric dyes (CP 1-4) were successfully designed, synthesized, and fully characterized as possible sensitizers. Further, the experimental results revealed that these push-pull type dyads own all the prerequisites to act as a potential photosensitizer on TiO 2 for DSSC application. [Display omitted] • Designed and synthesized new di-anchored cyanopyridine-centered symmetric dyads (CP 1-4). • Evaluated their optical and electrochemical properties to assess suitability as sensitizers. • Performed DFT studies to gauge their HOMO-LUMO energy levels. • The ESP maps advocates favoring charge movements, hence they are promising sensitizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]