Description

The present invention relates to benzo-imidazoindolizine derivatives, organic electrolumines cence devices comprising said derivative, and the use of said derivative in organic electrolumi nescence devices.

An organic electroluminescence (EL) device is generally composed of an anode, a cathode, and one or more organic thin film layers sandwiched between the anode and the cathode. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes, electrons are injected from the cathode and holes are injected from the anode into a light emitting region. The injected electrons recombine with the injected holes in the light emitting region to form excited states. When the excited states return to the ground state, the energy is released as light.

A lot of research has been made on the applications of organic EL devices to display, etc. be cause of their possibility of a wide selection of emission colors by using various emitting materi als in a light emitting layer. Particularly, research on the materials which emit three primary red, green, blue colors has been made most actively, and intensive research has also been made to improve their properties.

Aginagalde et al., J. Org. Chem. 2010, 75, 2776-2784 relates to the reaction between benzynes and imidazo[1 ,2-a]pyridines (pyrimidines) to form benzo[a]imidazo-[5,1 ,2-cd]indolizines and 2,3,9c-triazocyclopenta[j,k]fluorenes. The tetracyclic compounds emit blue light when excited at 365 nm.

Stasyuk et al., New J. Chem., 2014, 38, 189 discloses a new class of ESIPT-(excited state in tramolecular proton transfer) capable molecules, benzo[a]imidazo[5,1 ,2-cd]indolizines, bearing the 2-hydroxyphenyl substituent, which are prepared in a straightforward manner from imid- azo[1 ,2-a]pyridines via a tandem [8+2]cycloaddition-[2+6+2]dehydrogenation reaction.

Wang et al., Synthesis 2015, 47, 2457-2466 discloses a tandem synthesis of ben- zo[a]imidazo[5,1 ,2-cc/|indolizines from imidazo-[1 ,2-a]pyridines and o-dihaloarenes.

MX 2013014697A describes the synthesis of compounds derived from coumarin-benzo- imidazo-indolizine. Said compounds show non-linear properties and may be used as cell track ers, in the visualization and quantification of heat, generation and manufacture of wave guides in communication systems and optic switches, and in the manufacture of sensors.

An object of the invention is to provide a new material useful for organic EL devices. As a result of extensive research, the inventors have found that a benzo-imidazoindolizine de rivative is useful as a material for organic EL devices.

The present invention therefore relates to a compound of general formula (I)

wherein

X ¹ is CR ¹ or N ,

X ² is CR ² or N ,

X ³ is CR ³ or N ,

X ⁴ is CR ⁴ or N ,

X ⁵ is CR ⁵ or N ,

X ⁶ is CR ⁶ or N ,

X ⁷ is CR ⁷ or N ,

X ⁸ is CR ⁸ or N ,

X ⁹ is CR ⁹ or N ,

wherein at least one of X ¹ and X ² is N,

R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹

are independently of each other H, -CN, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substitut ed by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ - (L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, -OR ²¹ , -SR ²¹ , -NR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CONR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , or halogen, wherein at least one of X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ , X ⁶ , X ⁷ , X ⁸ and X ⁹ is CR ¹ , CR ² , CR ³ , CR ⁴ , CR ⁵ , CR ⁶ , CR ⁷ , CR ⁸ or CR ⁹ , wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ or R ⁹ is -CN , a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , a C ₇ -C ₂ saralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, -OR ²¹ , -SR ²¹ , -NR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CONR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ ,

-SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , or halogen, or at least two of R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹ if present at adjacent carbon atoms together form at least one C6-Cisaryl or Ci-C ₂₄ heteroaryl ring or ring system, L ¹ , L ² , L ³ and L ⁴ are independently of each other selected from a C ₆ -C ₄ oarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and a Ci-C2 ₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E,

R ¹⁰ is H, -CN or a Ci-C2salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, o is independently of each other 0 or 1 , p is independently of each other 0 or 1 , q is inde pendently of each other 0 or 1 and r is independently of each other 0 or 1 , wherein at least one of o, p, q and r is 1 ;

D is independently of each other -CO-, -COO-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2-, -0-, -CR ¹⁵ =CR ¹⁶ -, -NR ¹⁷ -, -SiR ²² R ²³ -, -POR ²⁵ -, -C _º C-,

E is independently of each other -OR ²¹ , -SR ²¹ , -NR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CONR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ ,

-CN, -SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , halogen, a C ₆ -C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or is substi tuted by at least one -F, -CF3, -CF2CF3, -CF2CF2CF3, -CF(CF3)2, -(CF2)3CF3 or -C(CF3)3, a C1-C18 alkyl or a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is interrupted by at least one O, a Ci-C2 ₄ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one -F, -CF3, -CF2CF3, -CF2CF2CF3 _, -CF(CF3)2 _, -(CF ₂ ) ₃ CF3 or -C(CF ₃ ) ₃ ,

R ¹⁵ and R ¹⁶ are independently of each other H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is interrupted by at least one O,

R ¹⁷ and R ¹⁸ are independently of each other H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Ciealkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Ciealkyl group or a Ci-Ciealkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, or

R ¹⁷ and R ¹⁸ together form a five or six membered aliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring,

R ¹⁹ is FI, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Ciealkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Ciealkyl group or a Ci-Ciealkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O,

R ²⁰ is FI or a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Ciealkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C1-C18 alkyl group or a Ci-Ciealkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O,

R ²¹ is independently of each other FI, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Ciealkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Ciealkyl group or a Ci- Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, R ²² ' R ²³ and R ²⁴ are independently of each other H , a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, and

R ²⁵ and R ²⁷ are independently of each other H, a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C ₇ -C25aralkyl which is unsubsti tuted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E,

wherein, in the case that o + p + q + r is 1 , L ¹ , L ² , L ³ respectively L ⁴ is selected from a C10- C ₄ oarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and a het- eroarylene group having 10 to 24 ring atoms, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E.

The invention further relates to an organic electroluminescence device comprising a cathode, an anode, and a plurality of organic layers provided between the cathode and the anode, wherein at least one of the plurality of organic layers is an emitting layer, wherein at least one organic layer comprises at least one inventive benzo-imidazoindolizine derivative represented by formula (I).

The invention further relates to the use of an inventive benzo-imidazoindolizine derivative repre sented by formula (I) in an organic electroluminescence device.

The present invention provides a novel material useful as a material for organic EL devices and an organic EL device comprising the material. The compounds of formula (I) are suitable as material for electronic devices, preferably OLEDs, especially as a host material, a charge trans porting material, charge and/or exciton blocking material, preferably as a host material and/or a charge transporting material, having a good overall performance, especially improved efficiency and/or driving voltage.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing an example of the structure of an organic electrolumi nescence device according to an embodiment of the invention.

The term of“XX to YY carbon atoms” referred to by“a substituted or unsubstituted group ZZ having XX to YY carbon atoms” used herein is the number of carbon atoms of the unsubstituted group ZZ and does not include any carbon atom in the substituent of the substituted group ZZ. ΎU” is larger than“XX” and each of“XX” and‘YY” represents an integer of 1 or more.

The term of“XX to YY atoms” referred to by“a substituted or unsubstituted group ZZ having XX to YY atoms” used herein is the number of atoms of the unsubstituted group ZZ and does not include any atom in the substituent of the substituted group ZZ.“YY” is larger than“XX” and each of“XX” and“YY” represents an integer of 1 or more. The term“CZZ-CYY-“ referred to by“Czz-Cw-ZZ group which is unsubstituted or substituted” used herein is the number of carbon atoms of the unsubstituted group ZZ and does not include any heteroatom or any atom in the substituent of the substituted group ZZ.“YY” is larger than“XX” and each of“XX” and“YY” represents an integer of 1 or more.

The term of“unsubstituted group ZZ” referred to by“a substituted or unsubstituted group ZZ” used herein means the group ZZ wherein no hydrogen atom is substituted by a substituent.

The number of“ring carbon atoms” referred to herein means the number of the carbon atoms included in the atoms which are members forming the ring itself of a compound in which a se ries of atoms is bonded to form the ring (for example, a monocyclic compound, a fused ring compound, a cross-linked compound, a carbocyclic compound, and a heterocyclic compound).

If the ring has a substituent, the carbon atom in the substituent is not included in the ring carbon atom. The same applies to the number of“ring carbon atom” described below, unless otherwise noted. For example, a benzene ring has 6 ring carbon atoms, a naphthalene ring has 10 ring carbon atoms, a pyridinyl group has 5 ring carbon atoms, and a furanyl group has 4 ring carbon atoms. If a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring has, for example, an alkyl substituent, the carbon atom in the alkyl substituent is not counted as the ring carbon atom of the benzene or naphtha lene ring. In case of a fluorene ring to which a fluorene substituent is bonded (inclusive of a spi- rofluorene ring), the carbon atom in the fluorene substituent is not counted as the ring carbon atom of the fluorene ring.

The number of“ring atom” referred to herein means the number of the atoms which are mem bers forming the ring itself (for example, a monocyclic ring, a fused ring, and a ring assembly) of a compound in which a series of atoms is bonded to form the ring (for example, a monocyclic compound, a fused ring compound, a cross-linked compound, a carbocyclic compound, and a heterocyclic compound). The atom not forming the ring (for example, hydrogen atom(s) for satu rating the valence of the atom which forms the ring) and the atom in a substituent, if the ring is substituted, are not counted as the ring atom. The same applies to the number of“ring atoms” described below, unless otherwise noted. For example, a pyridine ring has 6 ring atoms, a quinazoline ring has 10 ring atoms, and a furan ring has 5 ring atoms. The hydrogen atom on the ring carbon atom of a pyridine ring or a quinazoline ring and the atom in a substituent are not counted as the ring atom. In case of a fluorene ring to which a fluorene substituent is bond ed (inclusive of a spirofluorene ring), the atom in the fluorene substituent is not counted as the ring atom of the fluorene ring.

The definition of“hydrogen atom” used herein includes isotopes different in the neutron num bers, i.e., light hydrogen (protium), heavy hydrogen (deuterium), and tritium.

The optional substituent may be further substituted with an optional substituent mentioned above. The optional substituents may be bonded to each other to form a ring. The residues mentioned in the specification of the present application generally have the follow ing preferred meanings, if said residues are not further specified in specific embodiments men tioned below:

Halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

Ci-C25alkyl, preferably Ci-Cisalkyl, is typically linear or branched, where possible. Examples are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec. -butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 2-pentyl, 3- pentyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylpentyl, n-hexyl, 1 -methylhexyl, 1 , 1 ,3, 3,5,5- hexamethylhexyl, n-heptyl, isoheptyl, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, 1 -methylheptyl, 3-methylheptyl, n-octyl, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl and 2-ethylhexyl, n-nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, or octadecyl. Ci-Csalkyl is typically methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec. -butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 2-pentyl, 3-pentyl, 2,2- dimethyl-propyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl and 2-ethylhexyl. Ci-C ₄ alkyl is typically methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec. -butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl.

Ci-C25alkoxy groups, preferably Ci-Cisalkoxy groups, are straight-chain or branched alkoxy groups, e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, am- yloxy, isoamyloxy or tert-amyloxy, heptyloxy, octyloxy, isooctyloxy, nonyloxy, decyloxy, un- decyloxy, dodecyloxy, tetradecyloxy, pentadecyloxy, hexadecyloxy, heptadecyloxy and octade- cyloxy. Examples of Ci-Csalkoxy are methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, sec.- butoxy, isobutoxy, tert.-butoxy, n-pentyloxy, 2-pentyloxy, 3-pentyloxy, 2,2-dimethylpropoxy, n- hexyloxy, n-heptyloxy, n-octyloxy, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutoxy and 2-ethylhexyloxy, preferably Ci- C ₄ alkoxy such as typically methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, sec.-butoxy, iso butoxy, tert.-butoxy.

C ₆ -C ₄ oaryl, preferably C6-C2 ₄ aryl, particularly preferably C ₆ -Cisaryl, which optionally can be sub stituted, is typically phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, naphthyl, especially 1 -naphthyl, or 2-naphthyl, biphenylyl, terphenylyl, pyrenyl, 2- or 9-fluorenyl, phenanthryl, or anthryl, which may be unsubstituted or substituted. Phenyl, 1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl are examples of a C ₆ - Cioaryl group.

C6-C2 ₄ aryloxy, which optionally can be substituted, is typically C ₆ -Cioaryloxy, which optionally can be substituted by one, or more Ci-Csalkyl and/or Ci-Csalkoxy groups, such as, for example, phenoxy, 1 -naphthoxy, or 2-naphthoxy.

Ci-C2 ₄ heteroaryl, preferably C2-C2oheteroaryl, particularly preferably C2-Ci3heteroaryl, which optionally can be substituted, represents a ring with five to seven ring atoms or a condensed ring system, wherein nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur are the possible hetero atoms, and is typically a heterocyclic group with 5 to 40 atoms having at least six conjugated p-electrons such as thienyl, benzothiophenyl, dibenzothiophenyl, thianthrenyl, furyl, furfuryl, 2H-pyranyl, benzofuranyl, iso- benzofuranyl, di benzofuranyl, phenoxythienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, bipyridyl, triazyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, purinyl, quinoliz- inyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, chinoxalinyl, chinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, pter- idinyl, carbazolyl, carbolinyl, benzotriazolyl, benzoxazolyl, phenanthridinyl, acridinyl, pyrimidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, isothiazolyl, phenothiazinyl, isoxazolyl, furazanyl, 4-imidazo[1 ,2- a]benzimidazoyl, 5-benzimidazo[1 ,2-a]benzimidazoyl, benzimidazolo[2,1 -b][1 ,3]benzothiazolyl, carbazolyl, or phenoxazinyl, which can be unsubstituted or substituted. Benzimidazo[1 ,2- a]benzimidazo-5-yl, benzimidazo[1 ,2-a]benzimidazo-2-yl, carbazolyl and dibenzofuranyl are examples of a C2-Ci ₄ heteroaryl group.

C7-C25aralkyl, which optionally can be substituted, is for example benzyl, 2-benzyl-2-propyl, b- phenyl-ethyl, a,a-dimethylbenzyl, co-phenyl-butyl, co, co-dimethyl-co-phenyl-butyl, co-phenyl- dodecyl, co-phenyl-octadecyl, co-phenyl-eicosyl or co-phenyl-docosyl, preferably C7-Ci8aralkyl such as benzyl, 2-benzyl-2-propyl, b-phenyl-ethyl, a,a-dimethylbenzyl, co-phenyl-butyl, co, co-dimethyl-co-phenyl-butyl, co-phenyl-dodecyl or co-phenyl-octadecyl, and particularly preferred C7-Ci2aralkyl such as benzyl, 2-benzyl-2-propyl, b-phenyl-ethyl, a,a-dimethylbenzyl, co-phenyl- butyl, or co, co-dimethyl-co-phenyl-butyl, in which both the aliphatic hydrocarbon group and aro matic hydrocarbon group may be unsubstituted or substituted. Preferred examples are benzyl, 2-phenylethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, naphthylethyl, naphthylmethyl, and cumyl.

C5-Ci2cycloalkyl, which optionally can be substituted, is for example cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl, cyclodecyl, cycloundecyl, cyclododecyl, preferably cyclopen tyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, or cyclooctyl, which may be unsubstituted or substituted.

Examples of the alkylene group (i.e. alkane-diyl group) having 1 to 25 carbon atoms represent ed include methylene group, ethylene group, n-propylene group, isopropylene group, n-butylene group, s-butylene group, isobutylene group, t-butylene group, n-pentylene group, n-hexylene group, n-heptylene group, n-octylene group, n-nonylene group, n-decylene group, n-undecylene group, n-dodecylene group, n-tridecylene group, n-tetradecylene group, n-pentadecylene group, n-hexadecylene group, n-heptadecylene group, n-octadecylene group, neopentylene group, 1 - methylpentylene group, with methylene group, ethylene group, n-propylene group, isopropylene group, n-butylene group, s-butylene group, isobutylene group, t-butylene group being preferred. The alkylene group is substituted or unsubstituted.

Examples of the cycloalkylene group (i.e. cycloalkane-diyl group) having 5 to 12 carbon atoms include cyclopropylene group, cyclobutylene group, cyclopentylene group, cyclohexylene group, cyclooctylene group, and adamantylene group, with cyclopentylene group, and cyclohexylene group being preferred. The cycloalkylene group is substituted or unsubstituted.

The arylene group is preferably a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 40 ring car bon atoms, more preferably having 6 to 24 ring carbon atoms, most preferably having 6 to 18 ring carbon atoms, may be a non-condensed divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a con densed divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group. Specific examples thereof include phenylene group, naphthylene group, phenanthrylene group, biphenyl-diyl group, terphenyl-diyl group, quaterphenyl-diyl group, fluoranthen-diyl group, triphenylenylene-diyl group, phenanthrene-diyl group, fluorene-diyl group, spirofluorene-diyl group, 9,9-diphenylfluorene-diyl group, 9,9'- spirobi[9H-fluorene]-2-diyl group, 9,9-dimethylfluorene-diyl group, benzo[c]phenanthrene-diyl group, benzo[a]triphenylene-diyl group, naphtho[1 ,2-c]phenanthrene-diyl group, naphtho[1 ,2- a]triphenylenylene-diyl group, dibenzo[a,c]triphenylenylene-diyl group, and ben- zo[b]fluoranthene-diyl group, with phenylene group, naphthylene group, biphenyl-diyl group, terphenyl-diyl group, phenanthryl-diyl group, triphenylenylen-diyl group, fluorene-diyl group, spi- robifluorene-diyl group, and fluoranthene-diyl group being preferred, and 1 ,2-phenylene group,

1 ,3-phenylene group, 1 ,4-phenylene group, 1 ,4-naphthylene group, 1 ,8-naphthylene group, 2,6- naphthylene group, 2,7-naphthylene group, biphenyl-2, 2’-diyl group, biphenyl-2, 3’-diyl group, biphenyl-2, 4’-diyl group, biphenyl-2, 5’-diyl group, biphenyl-2, 6’-diyl group, biphenyl-3, 3’-diyl group, biphenyl-3, 4’-diyl group, biphenyl-3, 5’-diyl group, biphenyl-3, 6’-diyl group, biphenyl-4, 4’- diyl group, biphenyl-4, 5’-diyl group, biphenyl-4, 6’-diyl group, biphenyl-5, 5’-diyl group, biphenyl- 5, 6’-diyl group, biphenyl-6, 6’-diyl group, phenanthrene-9,10-diyl group, phenanthrene-2,3-diyl group, phenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, phenanthrene-2,8-diyl group, phenanthrene-2,6-diyl group, phenanthrene-2,9-diyl group, phenanthrene-2,10-diyl group, phenanthrene-3,9-diyl group, phe- nanthrene-3,10-diyl group, triphenylene-2,3-diyl group, triphenylene-2,5-diyl group, triphenyle- ne-2,6-diyl group, triphenylene-2,7-diyl group, triphenylene-2,8-diyl group, 9,9-dimethylfluorene- 2,7-diyl group, 9,9-dimethylfluorene-3,7-diyl group, 9,9-dimethylfluorene-1 ,4-diyl group, fluoran- thene-3,9-diyl group, fluoranthene-3, 8-diyl group, fluoranthene-3, 4-diyl group, fluoranthene-3, 5- diyl group, fluoranthene-3, 6-diyl group, fluoranthene-2, 9-diyl group, fluoranthene-2, 8-diyl group, fluoranthene-2, 4-diyl group, fluoranthene-2, 5-diyl group, fluoranthene-2, 6-diyl group, fluoranthe- ne-1 , 9-diyl group, fluoranthene-1 , 8-diyl group, fluoranthene-1 ,4-diyl group, fluoranthene-1 , 5-diyl group, fluoranthene-1 , 6-diyl group being more preferred. The arylene group is substituted or unsubstituted.

The heteroarylene group is preferably a divalent heterocyclic group having 5 to 30 ring atoms, more preferably having 5 to 22 ring carbon atoms, most preferably having 5 to 18 ring carbon atoms, may be a non-condensed heterocyclic group or a condensed heterocyclic group. Specif ic examples thereof include the divalent residues of pyrrole ring, isoindole ring, benzofuran ring, isobenzofuran ring, dibenzothiophene ring, isoquinoline ring, quinoxaline ring, phenanthridine ring, phenanthroline ring, pyridine ring, pyrazine ring, pyrimidine ring, pyridazine ring, triazine ring, indole ring, quinoline ring, acridine ring, pyrrolidine ring, dioxane ring, piperidine ring, mor pholine ring, piperazine ring, carbazole ring, furan ring, thiophene ring, oxazole ring, oxadiazole ring, benzoxazole ring, thiazole ring, thiadiazole ring, benzothiazole ring, triazole ring, imidazole ring, benzimidazole ring, pyran ring, dibenzofuran ring, and be nzo[c]di benzofuran ring, and the divalent residues of derivatives of these rings, with the divalent residues of dibenzofuran ring, carbazole ring, dibenzothiophene ring, and derivatives of these divalent rings being preferred, and the dibenzofuran-diyl group, 9-phenylcarbazole-diyl group and dibenzothiophene-diyl group being more preferred. The heteroarylene group is substituted or unsubstituted. The abovementioned groups are substituted or unsubstituted. Possible preferred optional sub stituents of the above-mentioned groups are Ci-Csalkyl, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, Ci-Csalkoxy, Ci-Csalkylthio, halogen, halo-Ci-Csalkyl, C6-C2 ₄ aryl, C2-C3oheteroaryl, or a cyano group.

The optional substituents mentioned above may be further substituted by one or more of the optional substituents mentioned above.

The number of the optional substituents depends on the group which is substituted by said sub stituents). Preferred are 1 , 2, 3 or 4 optional substituents, more preferred are 1 , 2 or 3 optional substituents, most preferred are 1 or 2 optional substituents. In a further preferred embodiment, the groups mentioned above are unsubstituted.

Benzo-imidazoindolizine Derivative

The compound of the present invention in an aspect of the invention is represented by formula

(I):

wherein X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ X ⁶ , X ⁷ , X ⁸ and X ⁹ have the meanings as mentioned above. Preferred embodiments are explained in the following.

X ¹ in the general formula (I) is preferably CR ¹ .

X ² in the general formula (I) is preferably N .

Therefore the present invention preferably relates to compounds according to the following general formula (la),

wherein independently of each other X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ , X ⁶ , X ⁷ , X ⁸ and X ⁹ have the same meanings as mentioned above.

Preferably, 0, 1 or 2 of X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ , X ⁶ , X ⁷ , X ⁸ and X ⁹ in the compounds of formula (I) or (la) are N , more preferably, 0 of X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ , X ⁶ , X ⁷ , X ⁸ and X ⁹ in the compounds of formula (I) or (la) are N , i.e. X ³ is CR ³ , X ⁴ is CR ⁴ , X ⁵ is CR ⁵ , X ⁶ is CR ⁶ , X ⁷ is CR ⁷ , X ⁸ is CR ⁸ and X ⁹ is CR ⁹ .

More preferred compounds of formula (I) are therefore compounds of the following general for mula (Ia1 ):

In formula (I), (la) and (Ia1):

At least one of X ¹ and X ² is N , preferably X ¹ is CR ¹ and X ² is N .

R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹

are independently of each other H , -CN , a Ci-C2salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substitut ed by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ - (L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , a C ₇ -C25aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, -OR ²¹ , -SR ²¹ , -N R ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CON R ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , or halogen, wherein at least one of X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ , X ⁶ , X ⁷ , X ⁸ and X ⁹ is CR ¹ , CR ² , CR ³ , CR ⁴ , CR ⁵ , CR ⁶ , CR ⁷ , CR ⁸ or CR ⁹ , wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ or R ⁹ is -CN , a Ci-C2salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , a C ₇ -C2saralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, -OR ²¹ , -SR ²¹ , -N R ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CON R ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ ,

-SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , or halogen, or at least two of R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹ if present at adjacent carbon atoms together form at least one C ₆ -Cisaryl or Ci-C2 ₄ heteroaryl ring or ring system. D is -CO-, -COO-, -S-, -SO-, -S0 ₂ -, -0-, -CR ¹⁵ =CR ¹⁶ -, -NR ¹⁷ -, -SiR ²² R ²³ -, -POR ²⁵ -, -C _º C-, pref erably -0-, -NR ¹⁷ -, -SiR ²² R ²³ -.

E is -OR ²¹ , -SR ²¹ , -NR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CONR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -ON , -SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , hal ogen, a C ₆ -C ₆ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or is substituted by at least one -F, -CF ₃ , -CF2CF3, -CF2CF2CF3, -CF(CF3)2, -(CF2)3CF3 or -C(CF3)3, a C1-C18 alkyl group, a Ci-Ciealkyl group which is interrupted by at least one O, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group or a Ci-Ci ₃ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci- Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group; a Ci-C ₆ oheteroaryl group which is unsubsti tuted or substituted by at least one -F, -CF3, -CF2CF3, -CF2CF2CF3, -CF(CF3)2, -(CF2)3CF3, -C(CF ₃ ) ₃ , a C ₁ -C ₁₈ alkyl group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is interrupted by at least one O, a C _& - Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group or a Ci-Ci ₃ heteroaryl group which is un substituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group; a Ci-C ₂₅ alkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one -F, -CF ₃ , -CF ₂ CF ₃ , -CF2CF2CF3, -CF(CF ₃ ) _2, -(CF2)3CF3, -C(CF3)3, a C1-C18 alkyl group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is interrupted by at least one O, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group or a Ci- Ci ₃ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group; or a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one -F, -CF3, -CF2CF3, -CF2CF2CF3, -CF(CF3)2, -(CF2)3CF3, -C(CF3)3, a C1-C18 alkyl group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is interrupted by at least one O, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group or a Ci-Ci ₃ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group; preferably E is inde pendently of each other selected from -NR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -ON, -SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ^26’ , a C ₁ -C ₁₈ alkyl group, a C6-C18aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group or a Ci-Ci ₃ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci- Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-C ₆ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C _& - C^aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group or a Ci- Ci ₃ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group.

R ¹⁵ and R ¹⁶ are independently of each other FI, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci- Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably FI. R ¹⁷ and R ¹⁸ are independently of each other H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci- Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably H or a C ₁ -C ₁₈ alkyl group.

R ¹⁷ and R ¹⁸ together form a five or six membered aliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, preferably five or six membered aliphatic ring.

R ¹⁹ is H, a C6-Ci8aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci- Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group.

R ²⁰ is H or a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C ₁ -C ₁₈ alkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group.

R ²¹ is independently of each other H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably H, a C6-Ci8aryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group.

R ²² · R ²³ and R ²⁴ are independently of each other H, a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group.

R ²⁵ , R ²⁶ and R ²⁷ are independently of each other H, a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C ₅ - Ci ₂ cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H, a C6-Ci8aryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group.

Preferably, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹

are independently of each other H, -CN, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substitut ed by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ - (L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, -OR ²¹ , -SR ²¹ , -NR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CONR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , or halogen, preferably H, wherein at least one of X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ , X ⁶ , X ⁷ , X ⁸ and X ⁹ is CR ¹ , CR ² , CR ³ , CR ⁴ , CR ⁵ , CR ⁶ , CR ⁷ , CR ⁸ or CR ⁹ , wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ or R ⁹ , preferably one or both of R ¹ and R ⁸ or one or both of R ¹ and R ⁷ , is -CN, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ - (L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, -OR ²¹ , -SR ²¹ , -NR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CONR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , or halogen.

More preferably, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹

are independently of each other H or a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ ;

wherein at least one of R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹ is a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² ) _P -

(L ³ ) _q -(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹ °.

In a further preferred embodiment, R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁹ are H , and one or both of R ¹ and R ⁸ are independently of each other a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably a group of formula - R ¹⁰ ; and the other of R ¹ and R ⁸ which is not a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² ) _P - 2 ₅ aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E is H d R ⁹ are H, and one or both of R ¹ and R ⁷ are independently of each other a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , a C ₇ -C ₂ saralkyl group which is unsubstituted or sub stituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably a group of formula -(L ¹ ) _o -(L ² ) _p -(L ³ ) _q -(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ and the other of R ¹ and R ⁷ which is not a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , a C ₇ -C ₂ saralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsub stituted or substituted by at least one group E is H.

Most preferred are therefore compounds of the following formulae:

wherein R ¹ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ are each independently a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ as described above and below.

Further suitable compounds are for example:

wherein R ¹ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ are each independently a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ as described above and below.

The group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰

In formula (I), in the group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , L ¹ , L ² , L ³ and L ⁴ , o, p, q, r and

R ¹⁴ have the following meanings:

L ¹ , L ² , L ³ and L ⁴ are independently of each other selected from a C ₆ -C ₄ oarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and a Ci-C2 ₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E. Preferably L ¹ . L ² , L ³ and L ⁴ are inde pendently of each other selected from a C ₆ -C ₄ oarylene group which is unsubstituted and from a Ci-C2 ₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted.

R ¹⁰ is H, -CN or a Ci-C2salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D. More preferably, R ¹⁰ is H or Ci-Csalkyl, which is linear or branched. Most preferably, R ¹⁰ is H . o is independently of each other 0 or 1 , p is independently of each other 0 or 1 , q is inde pendently of each other 0 or 1 and r is independently of each other 0 or 1 , wherein at least one of o, p, q and r is 1 , preferably, the sum of o, p, q and r is 1 or 2.

Most preferably, the group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ comprises a Ci-C2 ₄ N-heteroaryl group or a Ci-C _4o aryl group, further most preferably a Ci-C2 ₄ N-heteroaryl group of one of the group of the

wherein

n is an integer of 0 to 8, preferably 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, more preferably 0, 1 or 2, most preferably 1 , m is an integer of 0 to 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 , M is a C ₆ -C ₄ o arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C1- C2 ₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E or a C1-C25 alkylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D,

R ²⁶ is independently of each other H, E, a C6-C2 ₄ aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, C2-C3oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C2salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C25aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, or a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E,

or

at least two of R ²⁶ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form at least one five or six mem bered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring or ring system, to which at least one further aromatic and/or heteroaromatic ring or ring system may be fused,

wherein the dotted line is a bonding site;

or

wherein n is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 , most preferably 0, m is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 ,

M is a C ₆ -C ₄₀ arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C1- C2 ₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E or a C1-C25 alkylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D,

R ²⁶ is independently of each other selected from H, E, a C ₆ -C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C3oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, a Ci-C2salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D,

or at least two of R ²⁶ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form at least one five or six membered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring or ring system, to which at least one further aromatic and/or heteroaromatic ring or ring sys tem may be fused,

R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ and R ³⁸ are independently of each other H , E, a C ₆ -C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C3oheteroaryl group which is unsubsti tuted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C2salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or sub stituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C2saralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H, phenyl or biphenyl, or

at least two of R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ or R ³⁸ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form to gether at least one C6-Cisaryl or C ₂ -Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system, and

Q and T are independently of each other selected from direct bond, S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ and NR ³⁶ , wherein Q and T are not at the same time a direct bond;

wherein R ³² and R ³³ are independently of each other H, a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, more preferably H, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl,

R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are independently of each other H , E, a C ₆ -C ₂₄ aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₂₄ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, or a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, or R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together may form a spiro group, preferably R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are independently of each other H, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl, or R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together may form a spiro group,

R ³⁶ is H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Ci ₃ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by phenyl, or a Ci-Cisalkyl group,

wherein the dotted line is a bonding site;

or

wherein n is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 , most preferably 0, m is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 ,

M is a C ₆ -C ₄₀ arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci- C2 ₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E or a C1-C25 alkylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D,

R ²⁶ is independently of each other selected from H, E, a C ₆ -C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C3oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi- tuted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D,

or at least two of R ²⁶ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form at least one five or six membered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring or ring system, to which at least one further aromatic and/or heteroaromatic ring or ring sys tem may be fused, R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ⁴³ and R ⁴⁴ are independently of each other selected from H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci- C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C ₅ -Ci ₂ cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, prefera bly H,

or

at least two of R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ or R ³¹ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, together may form at least one C6-Cisaryl or C ₂ -Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system, and

Q and T are independently of each other selected from direct bond, S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ and NR ³⁶ , wherein Q and T are not at the same time a direct bond;

wherein R ³² and R ³³ are independently of each other H, a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, more preferably H, methyl, ethyl or phenyl,

R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are independently of each other H , E, a C ₆ -C ₂₄ aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₂₄ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂ saralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, or a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, or R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together may form a spiro group, preferably, R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are independently of each other H, ethyl, ethyl, or phenyl, or R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together may form a spiro group,

R ³⁶ is H, a C6-Ci8aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Ci ₃ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by phenyl, or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, for example phenyl,

wherein the dotted line is a bonding site,

or

wherein n is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 , most preferably 0, m is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 ,

M is a C ₆ -C ₄ o arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C ₁ - C ₂₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E or a C ₁ -C ₂₅ alkylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D,

R ²⁶ is independently of each other selected from H, E, a C ₆ -C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C3oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, a Ci-C2salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D,

or at least two of R ²⁶ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form at least one five or six membered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring or ring system, to which at least one further aromatic and/or heteroaromatic ring or ring sys tem may be fused,

R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ and R ³⁸ are independently of each other H , E, a C ₆ -C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C3oheteroaryl group which is unsubsti tuted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C2salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or sub stituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C25aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H, phenyl or biphenyl, or

at least two of R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ or R ³⁸ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form to gether at least one C ₆ -Cisaryl or C2-Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system, and

Q and T are independently of each other selected from direct bond, S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ and NR ³⁶ , wherein Q and T are not at the same time a direct bond;

wherein R ³² and R ³³ are independently of each other H, a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C6-Ci2aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, preferably H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, more preferably H, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl,

R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are independently of each other H , E, a C6-C2 ₄ aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C2 ₄ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C2salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C2saralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, or a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, or R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together may form a spiro group, preferably R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are independently of each other H, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl, or R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together may form a spiro group,

R ³⁶ is H, a C6-Ci8aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Ci ₃ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by phenyl, or a Ci-Cisalkyl group,

wherein the dotted line is a bonding site;

or

wherein

A ¹ is CR ⁶² or N,

A ² is CR ⁶³ or N,

A ³ is CR ⁶⁴ or N,

A ⁴ is CR ⁶⁵ or N,

B ¹ is CR ⁶⁶ or N,

B ² is CR ⁶⁷ or N,

B ³ is CR ⁶⁸ or N,

B ⁴ is CR ⁶⁹ or N,

Y ¹ is NR ⁷⁰ , CR ⁷¹ R ⁷² , O or S;

R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ , R ⁶⁵ , R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ and R ⁶⁹ are independently of each other H, direct bond, E, a C ₆ - C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E or a Cs- Ci ₂ cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E,

or

at least two of R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ and R ⁶⁵ may be directly bonded to the moiety represented by the general formula (XXII) via the two‘-locations;

(XXII),

wherein

Y ² is NR ⁷³ , CR ⁷⁴ R ⁷⁵ , O or S,

or at least two of R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ and R ⁶⁹ may be directly bonded to the moiety represented by the general formula (XXIII) via the two‘-locations.

(XXIII),

wherein

Y ³ is NR ⁸⁰ , CR ⁸¹ R ⁸² , O or S,

R ⁷⁰ , R ⁷³ and R ⁸⁰ are independently of each other a direct bond, H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubsti tuted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or sub stituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E or a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E,

R ⁷¹ , R ⁷² , R ⁷⁴ , R ⁷⁵ , R ⁸¹ and R ⁸² are, independently of each other H, a direct bond, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is un substituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E or a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E,

or R ⁷¹ and R ⁷² , R ⁷⁴ and R ⁷⁵ and/or R ⁸¹ and R ⁸² together form at least one C ₃ -Cis-alkyl ring or ring system to which at least one C6-Cisaryl ring or ring system may be attached,

R ⁷⁶ , R ⁷⁷ , R ⁷⁸ , R ⁷⁹ , R ⁸³ , R ⁸⁴ , R ⁸⁵ and R ⁸⁶ are independently of each other H, a direct bond, E, a C6-C _4o aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group ralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs- group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, R ⁷⁷ and R ⁷⁸ and/or R ⁷⁸ and R ⁷⁹ together may form at least one C6-Cisaryl or C ₂ - Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system, and/or

R ⁸³ and R ⁸⁴ , R ⁸⁴ and R ⁸⁵ and/or R ⁸⁵ and R ⁸⁶ together form at least one C6-Cisaryl or C ₂ - Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system, wherein the heterocyclic group according to general formula (XXI) is connected to the com pound according to general formula (I) via one of R ⁷⁰ , R ⁷³ , R ⁸⁰ , R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ , R ⁶⁵ , R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ , R69, R ⁷⁸ , R ⁷⁷ , R ⁷⁸ , R ⁷⁹ , R ⁷¹ , R ⁷² , R ⁷⁴ , R ⁷⁵ , R ⁸¹ , R ⁸² , R ⁸³ , R ⁸⁴ , R ⁸⁵ or R ⁸⁶ , wherein this respective residue R ⁷⁰ , R ⁷³ , R ⁸⁰ , R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ , R ⁶⁵ , R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ , R ⁶⁹ , R ⁷⁶ , R ⁷⁷ , R ⁷⁸ , R ⁷⁹ , R ⁷¹ , R ⁷² , R ⁷⁴ , R ⁷⁵ ,

R ⁸¹ , R ⁸² , R ⁸³ , R ⁸⁴ , R ⁸⁵ or R ⁸⁶ is a direct bond, optionally interrupted by a group of formula -(M) _m -, in this case, m is 1 , 2, 3 or 4,

M is a C ₆ -C ₄₀ arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C ₁ - C ₂₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E or a C ₁ -C ₂₅ alkylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D;

(XXIV),

wherein

X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ and X ⁶ are independently of each other CR ^c or N, wherein in formula at least one of X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ and X ⁶ is N ;

R ^c is in each case independently of each other H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C ₁ -C ₂₄ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one C ₁ - Cisalkoxy group, or a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is optionally interrupted by at least one O;

or at least two of R ^c , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form at least one five or six membered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, to which at least one further substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring may be fused;

M is a C ₆ -C ₄₀ arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C ₁ - C ₂₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E;

m is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, preferably 0, 1 or 2;

wherein the dotted lines are bonding sites, and

wherein the group— (M) _m - is either attached to the ring formed by X ¹ to X ⁶ , wherein one of X ¹ to X ⁶ is a group CR ^c , wherein R ^c is a bonding site to— (M) _m -, or

the group— (M) _m - is attached to the ring formed of at least two of R ^c , if present at adjacent carbon atoms;

wherein

B is CR9 or N ;

A is O, S or NR ^h ; R ^d , R ^e , R9 and R ^h are independently of each other H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C1-C24 heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C ₇ -C25aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one C1- Cisalkoxy group, or a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is optionally interrupted by at least one O;

or at least two of R ^d , R ^e , R9 and R ^h , if present at adjacent atoms, may form at least one five or six membered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, to which at least one further substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring may be fused;

M is a C6-C40 arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C1- C24heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E;

m is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, preferably 0, 1 or 2;

wherein the dotted lines are bonding sites;

wherein the group— (M) _m - is either attached to the five membered ring formed by N, A, B and two carbon atoms, wherein one of R ^d , R ^e , R9 or R ^h is a bonding site to— (M) _m -, or

the group— (M) _m - is attached to the ring formed of at least two of R ^d , R ^e , R9 or R ^h , if present at adjacent carbon atoms. or

wherein

R, R, R ^k , R, R ^m , R ⁿ , R°, RP, RP, R ^s , R, R ^u , R ^v , R ^w , R ^x , R ^y and R ^z are independently of each other H, a C ₆ -Ci ₈ aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C1-C24 heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C ₇ -C25aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, or a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is optionally interrupted by at least one O;

or at least two of R, R ^k , R, R ^m , R ⁿ , R°, RP, RP, R ^s , R, R ^u , R ^v , R ^w , R ^x , R ^y and R ^z , if present at ad jacent carbon atoms, may form at least one five or six membered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, to which at least one further substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring may be fused;

g is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4;

h is 0, 1 , 2 or 3,

i is 0, 1 or 2;

M is a C6-C40 arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C1- C24heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E;

m is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, preferably 0, 1 or 2;

wherein the dotted lines are bonding sites.

The Ci-C ₂₄ N-heteroaryl groups according to general formulae (XII), (XIII), (XV), (XVII), (XXI), (XXIV) or (XXV) and the C ₆ -C ₄ oaryl groups according to general formulae (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX) are described in the following:

N-heteroaryl groups according to general formula (XXI)

In one embodiment of the present invention, the N-heteroaryl group is represented by the gen eral formula (XXI)

wherein

A ¹ is CR ⁶² or N, preferably CR ⁶² ,

A ² is CR ⁶³ or N, preferably CR ⁶³ ,

A ³ is CR ⁶⁴ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁴ ,

A ⁴ is CR ⁶⁵ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁵ ,

B ¹ is CR ⁶⁶ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁶ ,

B ² is CR ⁶⁷ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁷ ,

B ³ is CR ⁶⁸ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁸ ,

B ⁴ is CR ⁶⁹ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁹ ,

Y ¹ is NR ⁷⁰ , CR ⁷¹ R ⁷² , O or S

R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ , R ⁶⁵ , R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ and R ⁶⁹ are independently of each other selected from H, direct bond, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci- C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C ₅ -Ci ₂ cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, prefera bly H, phenyl or carbazolyl, and/or at least two of R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ and R ⁶⁵ , if present are directly bonded to the moiety represented by the general formula (XXII) by the two‘-locations.

(XXII),

wherein

Y ² is NR ⁷³ , CR ⁷⁴ R ⁷⁵ , O or S,

Z ¹ is N or CR ⁷⁶ , preferably CR ⁷⁶ ,

Z ² is N or CR ⁷⁷ , preferably CR ⁷⁷ ,

Z ³ is N or CR ⁷⁸ , preferably CR ⁷⁸ ,

Z ⁴ is N or CR ⁷⁹ , preferably CR ⁷⁹ ,

and/or R ⁶² , R ⁶³ ' R ⁶⁴ or R ⁶⁵ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, together form at least one C6-Cisaryl or C ₂ -Ci ₈ heteroaryl ring or ring system, and/or at least two of R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ and R ⁶⁹ , if present are directly bonded to the moiety represented by the general formula (XXIII) by the two locations.

(XXIII),

wherein

Y ³ is NR ⁸⁰ , CR ⁸¹ R ⁸² , O or S,

Z ⁵ is N or CR ⁸³ , preferably CR ⁸³ ,

Z ⁶ is N or CR ⁸⁴ , preferably CR ⁸⁴ ,

Z ⁷ is N or CR ⁸⁵ , preferably CR ⁸⁵ ,

Z ⁸ is N or CR ⁸⁶ , preferably CR ⁸⁶ ,

and/or at least two of R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ · R ⁶⁸ or R ⁶⁹ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, together form at least one C6-Ci8aryl or C ₂ -Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system,

R ⁷⁰ , R ⁷³ and R ⁸⁰ are independently of each other selected from H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubsti tuted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or sub stituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, phe- nanthryl, triphenylenyl, fluorenyl, dibenzothienyl, dibenzofuryl, N-phenylcarbazolyl, pyridyl, py- rimidyl, triazyl and quinolyl, which are unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, pref erably unsubstituted,

R ⁷¹ , R ⁷² , R ⁷⁴ , R ⁷⁵ , R ⁸¹ and R ⁸² are, independently of each other selected from H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is un substituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably methyl or phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably unsubstituted, or R ⁷¹ and R ⁷² , R ⁷⁴ and R ⁷⁵ and/or R ⁸¹ and R ⁸² together form at least one C3-Ci8-alkyl ring or ring system to which at least one C ₆ -Cisaryl ring or ring system may be attached,

R ⁷⁶ , R ⁷⁷ , R ⁷⁸ , R ⁷⁹ , R ⁸³ , R ⁸⁴ , R ⁸⁵ and R ⁸⁶ are independently of each other selected from H , E, a C ₆ -C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C3oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C2salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C25aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs- Ci2cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H , and/or at least two of R ⁷⁶ , R ⁷⁷ , R ⁷⁸ , R ⁷⁹ , R ⁸³ , R ⁸⁴ , R ⁸⁵ or R ⁸⁶ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, to gether form at least one C ₆ -Cisaryl or C2-Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system, wherein the substituent according to general formula (XXI) is connected to the compound ac cording to general formula (I) via one of R ⁷⁰ , R ⁷³ , R ⁸⁰ , R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ , R ⁶⁵ , R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ , R ⁶⁹ , R ⁷⁶ , R ⁷⁷ , R ⁷⁸ , R ⁷⁹ , R ⁷¹ , R ⁷² , R ⁷⁴ , R ⁷⁵ , R ⁸¹ , R ⁸² , R ⁸³ , R ⁸⁴ , R ⁸⁵ or R ⁸⁶ , if present, preferably R ⁷⁰ , R ⁷³ or R ⁸⁰ , if present, wherein this respective R ⁷⁰ , R ⁷³ , R ⁸⁰ , R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ , R ⁶⁵ , R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ , R ⁶⁹ , R ⁷⁶ ,

R ⁷⁷ , R ⁷⁸ , R ⁷⁹ , R ⁷¹ , R ⁷² , R ⁷⁴ , R ⁷⁵ , R ⁸¹ , R ⁸² , R ⁸³ , R ⁸⁴ , R ⁸⁵ or R ⁸⁶ , preferably R ⁷⁰ , R ⁷³ or R ⁸⁰ , is a di rect bond, optionally interrupted by a group of formula -(M) _m -, in this case, m is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0 or 1 ,

M is a C ₆ -C ₄₀ arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C ₁ - C ₂₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E or a C ₁ -C ₂₅ alkylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, preferably phenylene or naphthylene, which are unsubstituted or sub stituted by at least one group E, preferably unsubstituted,

wherein D and E have the same meanings as mentioned above.

According to the present invention the heterocyclic group according to general formula (XXI), which may be for example a dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene or benzofurodibenzofuran group, can be attached to the compound of general formula (I) via any atom present in the heterocyclic ring system. Therefore, any of R ⁷⁰ , R ⁷³ , R ⁸⁰ , R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ , R ⁶⁵ , R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ , R ⁶⁹ , R ⁷⁶ , R ⁷⁷ , R ⁷⁸ , R ⁷⁹ , R ⁷¹ , R ⁷² , R ⁷⁴ , R ⁷⁵ , R ⁸¹ , R ⁸² , R ⁸³ , R ⁸⁴ , R ⁸⁵ or R ⁸⁶ , if present, preferably R ⁷⁰ , R ⁷³ or R ⁸⁰ , if present, can be a direct bond, optionally interrupted by a group of formula -(M) _m -, with which the hetero cyclic group according to formula (XXI) can be attached to the compound of general formula (I).

Preferably, the heterocyclic group according to general formula (XXI) is represented by any one of general formula (XXIa), (XXIb) or (XXIc) wherein A ¹ , A ² , A ³ , A ⁴ , B ¹ , B ² , B ³ , B ⁴ , Z ¹ , Z ² , Z ³ , Z ⁴ , Z ⁵ , Z ⁶ , Z ⁷ , Z ⁸ , Y ¹ , Y ² and Y ³ have the same meanings as defined above.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention one of Y ¹ , Y ² and Y ³ in the compounds according general formulae (XXI), (XXIa), (XXIb) and/or (XXIc) is NR ⁷⁰ , NR ⁷³ or NR ⁸⁰ respectively.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention two of Y ¹ , Y ² and Y ³ in the compound according to general formulae (XXI), (XXIa), (XXIb) and/or (XXIc) are NR ⁷⁰ , NR ⁷³ or NR ⁸⁰ respectively.

Preferably, the N-heteroaryl group according to general formula (XXI) corresponds to a N- heteroaryl group according to general formula (XXI)

(XXI),

wherein A ¹ is CR ⁶² ,

A ² is CR ⁶³ or N preferably CR ⁶³ ,

A ³ is CR ⁶⁴ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁴ ,

A ⁴ is CR ⁶⁵ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁵ ,

B ¹ is CR ⁶⁶ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁶ ,

B ² is CR ⁶⁷ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁷ , B ³ is CR ⁶⁸ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁸ ,

B ⁴ is CR ⁶⁹ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁹ ,

Y ¹ is NR ⁷⁰ ,

R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ and R ⁶⁹ are independently of each other selected from direct bond, H, E, a C ₆ - C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs- Ci ₂ cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H, phenyl or carbazolyl, and at least two of R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ and R ⁶⁵ are direct bond and, if present at adjacent carbon atoms, are directly connected to the two‘-locations in the moiety of general formula (XXII)

(XXII),

wherein

Y ² is NR ⁷³ CR ⁷⁴ R ⁷⁵ , O or S,

Z ¹ is CR ⁷⁶

Z ² is CR ⁷⁷

Z ³ is CR ⁷⁸

Z ⁴ is CR ⁷⁹ and the remaining of R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ and R ⁶⁵ that are not direct bond are independently of each other selected from direct bond, H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂ saralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H, phenyl or carbazolyl, wherein R ⁷⁶ , R ⁷⁷ , R ⁷⁸ and R ⁷⁹ are independently of each other selected from H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is un substituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably hydrogen,

R ⁷³ , R ⁷⁴ and R ⁷⁵ have the same meanings as mentioned above, and the substituent according to general formula (XXI) is connected to the compound according to general formula (I) via R ⁷⁰ being a direct bond, which is optionally interrupted by a group of formula -(M) _m -, wherein M and m have the same meanings as mentioned above, preferably m is 0 or 1 .

In a further preferred embodiment, the N-heteroaryl group according to general formula (XXI) corresponds to a N-heteroaryl group according to general formula (XXI), wherein

A ² is CR ⁶³ or N preferably CR ⁶³ ,

A ³ is CR ⁶⁴ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁴ ,

A ⁴ is CR ⁶⁵ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁵ ,

B ¹ is CR ⁶⁶ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁶ ,

B ² is CR ⁶⁷ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁷ ,

B ³ is CR ⁶⁸ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁸ ,

B ⁴ is CR ⁶⁹ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁹ ,

Y ¹ is NR ⁷⁰ , CR ⁷¹ R ⁷² , O or S at least two of R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ and R ⁶⁵ are direct bond and, if present at adjacent carbon atoms, are directly connected to the two‘-locations in the moiety of general formula (XXII)

(XXII),

wherein

Y ² is NR ⁷³ , CR ⁷⁴ R ⁷⁵ , O or S,

Z ¹ is CR ⁷⁶ ,

Z ² is CR ⁷⁷ ,

Z ³ is CR ⁷⁸

Z ⁴ is CR ⁷⁹ , and the remaining of R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ and R ⁶⁵ that are not direct bond are independently of each other selected from direct bond, H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H or phenyl, and at least two of R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ and R ⁶⁹ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, are directly connected to the two‘-locations in the moiety of general formula (XXIII) (XXIII),

wherein g ₃ is NR ⁸⁰

Z ⁵ is CR ⁸³

Z ⁶ is CR ⁸⁴

Z ⁷ is CR ⁸⁵

Z ⁸ is CR ⁸⁶ and the remaining of R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ and R ⁶⁹ that are not direct bond are independently of each other selected from direct bond, H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H or phenyl,

R ⁷⁶ , R ⁷⁷ , R ⁷⁸ , R ⁷⁹ , R ⁸³ , R ⁸⁴ , R ⁸⁵ and R ⁸⁶ are independently of each other selected from direct bond, H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci- C ₃₉ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂ saralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, prefera bly H or phenyl,

R ⁷⁰ , R ⁷¹ , R ⁷² , R ⁷³ , R ⁷⁴ and R ⁷⁵ have the same meanings as mentioned above, and the substituent according to general formula (XXI) is connected to the compound according to general formula (I) via R ⁸⁰ being a direct bond, which is optionally interrupted by a group of formula -(M) _m -, wherein M and m have the same meanings as mentioned above, preferably m is 0 or 1 . In a further preferred embodiment, the N-heteroaryl group according to general formula (XXI) corresponds to a N-heteroaryl group according to general formula (XXI), wherein

A ² is CR ⁶³ or N preferably CR ⁶³ ,

A ³ is CR ⁶⁴ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁴ ,

A ⁴ is CR ⁶⁵ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁵ ,

B ¹ is CR ⁶⁶ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁶ ,

B ² is CR ⁶⁷ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁷ ,

B ³ is CR ⁶⁸ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁸ ,

B ⁴ is CR ⁶⁹ or N, preferably CR ⁶⁹ ,

Y ¹ is NR ⁷⁰ , at least two of R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ and R ⁶⁵ are direct bond and, if present at adjacent carbon atoms, are directly connected to the two‘-locations in the moiety of general formula (XXII)

wherein

Y ² is NR ⁷³ , CR ⁷⁴ R ⁷⁵ , O or S,

Z ¹ is CR ⁷⁶ ,

Z ² is CR ⁷⁷ ,

Z ³ is CR ⁷⁸

Z ⁴ is CR ⁷⁹ , and the remaining of R ⁶² , R ⁶³ , R ⁶⁴ and R ⁶⁵ that are not direct bond are independently of each other selected from direct bond, H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H or phenyl, and at least two of R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ and R ⁶⁹ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, are directly connected to the two‘-locations in the moiety of general formula (XXIII) (XXIII),

wherein g ₃ is NR ⁸⁰ CR ⁸¹ R ⁸² , O or S,

Z ⁵ is CR ⁸³

Z ⁶ is CR ⁸⁴

Z ⁷ is CR ⁸⁵

Z ⁸ is CR ⁸⁶ and the remaining of R ⁶⁶ , R ⁶⁷ , R ⁶⁸ and R ⁶⁹ that are not direct bond are independently of each other selected from direct bond, H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H or phenyl,

R ⁷⁶ , R ⁷⁷ , R ⁷⁸ , R ⁷⁹ , R ⁸³ , R ⁸⁴ , R ⁸⁵ and R ⁸⁶ are independently of each other selected from direct bond, H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci- C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, prefera bly H or phenyl,

R ⁷³ , R ⁷⁴ , R ⁷⁵ , R ⁸⁰ , R ⁸¹ and R ⁸² have the same meanings as mentioned above, and the substituent according to general formula (XXI) is connected to the compound according to general formula (I) via R ⁷⁰ being a direct bond, which is optionally interrupted by a group of formula -(M) _m -, wherein M and m have the same meanings as mentioned above, preferably m is 0 or 1 .

N-heteroaryl groups according to general formula (XIII)

In one embodiment of the present invention, the N-heteroaryl group is represented by the gen eral formula (XIII)

wherein M, m and R ²⁶ have the meanings as mentioned above, preferably m is 0;

n is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably n is 0;

R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ and R ³⁸ are independently of each other selected from H, E, a C ₆ -C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C3oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C2salkyl group, which is un substituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C25aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H, phenyl, bi phenyl, more preferably H; or at least two of R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ or R ³⁸ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, together form at least one C ₆ -Cisaryl or C2-Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system, and

Q and T are independently of each other selected from direct bond, S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ and NR ³⁶ , preferably N R ³⁶ , wherein Q and T are not at the same time a direct bond; wherein R ³² and R ³³ are independently of each other H, a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C6-Ci2aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, preferably H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, preferably H, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl,

R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are independently of each other H , E, a C6-C2 ₄ aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C2 ₄ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C2salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C2saralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, or a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, wherein R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together form a spiro group, preferably H, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl, wherein R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together form a spiro group,

R ³⁶ is a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C6-Ci2aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Ci3heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C6-Ci2aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by phenyl, or a Cr Cisalkyl group, more preferably a phenyl group; wherein D and E have the same meanings as mentioned above.

Preferred compounds of formula (XIII) are compounds of the following formula (Xllla), wherein T is a direct bond, and compounds of formula (Xlllb), wherein Q is a direct bond:

I lb), wherein residues, symbols and indices have the same meanings as mentioned above. Preferably, R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ and R ³⁸ are H. R ²⁶ is preferably H or two R ²⁶ that are present at adjacent carbon atoms together form a fused phenyl ring.

More preferred compounds of formula (XIII) are the following compounds:

wherein

A is S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or N R ³⁶ , preferably S, O, CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , and

Q and T are independently of each other S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , preferably NR ³⁶ .

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the compound of formula (XIII), Q is direct bond, T is S, R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H , m is 0 or 1 , n is 0 and R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ and R ³¹ are H .

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the com pound of formula (XIII), Q is direct bond, T is NR ³⁶ , R ³⁶ is phenyl, biphenyl or naphthyl, R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H, m is 0, n is 0 and R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ and R ³¹ are H .

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the compound of formula (XIII), Q is direct bond, T is CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ , R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are methyl, R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H, m is 0, n is 0 and R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ and R ³¹ are H.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the com pound of formula (XIII), Q is S, T is direct bond, R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H, m is 0, n is 0 and R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ and R ³¹ are H.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the com pound of formula (XIII), Q is NR ³⁶ , T is direct bond, R ³⁶ is phenyl, biphenyl or naphthyl, R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H, m is 0, n is 0 and R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ and R ³¹ are H .

Most preferred compounds of formula (XIII) are compounds of formula (XIII), wherein Q is a direct bond, especially preferred are therefore compounds (XI lib), more preferably (Xlllbl ) to (XII Ib12).

According to a further preferred embodiment, the heteroaryl group according to general formula (XIII) corresponds to general formula (XIV) (XIV), wherein R ²⁶ , R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , M, Q, T, n and m have the same meanings as mentioned above and

R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ , R ⁴² are independently of each other selected from H , a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C6-Ci2aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, preferably R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H.

Preferred compounds of formula (XIV) are compounds of the following formula (XlVa), wherein T is a direct bond, and compounds of formula (XlVb), wherein Q is a direct bond:

wherein residues, symbols and indices have the same meanings as mentioned above. Preferably, R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ and R ³⁸ are H.

R ²⁶ is preferably H or two R ²⁶ that are present at adjacent carbon atoms together form a fused phenyl ring.

More preferred compounds of formula (XIV) are the following compounds: wherein A is S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , preferably S, O, CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , and

Q and T are independently of each other S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , preferably NR ³⁶ .

N-heteroaryl groups according to general formula (XV)

In one embodiment of the present invention, the N-heteroaryl group is represented by the gen eral formula

wherein n is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2

m is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0 or 1 ,

M is a C ₆ -C ₄ o arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C1- C2 ₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E or a C1-C25 alkylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, preferably, M is a C6-C40 arylene group which is unsubstituted, a C1- C24heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or a C1-C25 alkylene group which is unsubstitut ed, particularly preferably, M is a C6-C18 arylene group which is unsubstituted, most preferably a phenylene group, R ²⁶ is independently of each other selected from H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D,

or at least two of R ²⁶ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form at least one five or six membered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring or ring system, to which at least one further aromatic and/or heteroaromatic ring or ring sys tem may be fused,

preferably R ²⁶ is H or two R ²⁶ that are present at adjacent carbon atoms together form a fused phenyl ring,

R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ⁴³ and R ⁴⁴ are independently of each other selected from H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is un substituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H, or at least two of R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ or R ³¹ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, together may form at least one C _& - Cisaryl or C ₂ -Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system, and

Q and T are independently of each other selected from direct bond, S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ and NR ³⁶ , wherein Q and T are not at the same time a direct bond;

wherein R ³² and R ³³ are independently of each other H, a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, more preferably H, methyl, ethyl or phenyl,

R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are independently of each other H , E, a C ₆ -C ₂₄ aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₂₄ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, or a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, or R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together may form a spiro group, preferably, R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are independently of each other H, ethyl, ethyl, or phenyl, or R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together may form a spiro group,

R ³⁶ is H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Ci ₃ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by phenyl, or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, for example phenyl,

wherein the dotted line is a bonding site; wherein D and E have the same meanings as mentioned above. Preferred compounds of formula (XV) are compounds of the following formula (XVa), wherein T is a direct bond, and compounds of formula (XVb), wherein Q is a direct bond:

wherein residues, symbols and indices have the same meanings as mentioned above. Preferably, R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ and R ³⁸ are H.

R ²⁶ is preferably H or two R ²⁶ that are present at adjacent carbon atoms together form a fused phenyl ring.

More preferred compounds of formula (XV) are the following compounds:

wherein A is S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , preferably S, O, CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , and

Q and T are independently of each other S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , preferably NR ³⁶ .

According to a particular preferred embodiment of the present invention in substituent according to general formula (XV), m is 0, n is 0, R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ⁴³ and R ⁴⁴ are H, Q is a direct bond, T is CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ , R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are methyl.

According to a further particular preferred embodiment of the present invention in substituent according to general formula (XV), m is 0, n is 2, R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ⁴³ and R ⁴⁴ are H, two R ²⁶ that are present at adjacent carbon atoms together form a fused phenyl ring, which is preferably present in position of R ³⁰ and R ³¹ , Q is a direct bond, T is CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ , R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are methyl.

N-heteroaryl groups according to general formula (XVII)

In one embodiment of the present invention, the N-heteroaryl group is represented by the gen eral formula (XVII)

wherein n is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 , most preferably 0, m is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 ,

M is a C ₆ -C ₄ o arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C1- C2 ₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E or a C1-C25 alkylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, R ²⁶ is independently of each other selected from H, E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D,

or at least two of R ²⁶ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form at least one five or six membered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring or ring system, to which at least one further aromatic and/or heteroaromatic ring or ring sys tem may be fused,

R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ and R ³⁸ are independently of each other H , E, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₃ oheteroaryl group which is unsubsti tuted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or sub stituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably H, phenyl or biphenyl, or

at least two of R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ or R ³⁸ , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form to gether at least one C6-Cisaryl or C ₂ -Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system, and

Q and T are independently of each other selected from direct bond, S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ and NR ³⁶ , wherein Q and T are not at the same time a direct bond;

wherein R ³² and R ³³ are independently of each other H, a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, more preferably H, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl,

R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are independently of each other H , E, a C ₆ -C ₂₄ aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C ₂₄ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C ₂ salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, or a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by at least one group E, or R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together may form a spiro group, preferably R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are independently of each other H, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl, or R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ together may form a spiro group,

R ³⁶ is H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Ci ₃ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C ₆ -Ci ₂ aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably H, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substi tuted by phenyl, or a Ci-Cisalkyl group,

wherein the dotted line is a bonding site; and

wherein D and E have the same meanings as mentioned above.

Preferred compounds of formula (XVII) are compounds of the following formula (XVI la), wherein T is a direct bond, and compounds of formula (XVIIb), wherein Q is a direct bond: I lb) wherein residues, symbols and indices have the same meanings as mentioned above. Preferably, R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ and R ³⁸ are H.

R ²⁶ is preferably H or two R ²⁶ that are present at adjacent carbon atoms together form a fused phenyl ring. More preferred compounds of formula (XVII) are the following compounds:

wherein

A is S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or N R ³⁶ , preferably S, O, CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , and

Q and T are independently of each other S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , preferably NR ³⁶ .

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the compound of formula (XVII), Q is direct bond, T is S, R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H , m is 0 or 1 , n is 0 and R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ and R ³¹ are H . According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the com pound of formula (XVII), Q is direct bond, T is NR ³⁶ , R ³⁶ is phenyl, biphenyl or naphthyl, R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H, m is 0, n is 0 and R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ and R ³¹ are H .

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the compound of formula (XVII), Q is direct bond, T is CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ , R ³⁴ and R ³⁵ are methyl, R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H, m is 0, n is 0 and R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ and R ³¹ are H.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the com pound of formula (XVII), Q is S, T is direct bond, R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H, m is 0, n is 0 and R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ and R ³¹ are H.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the com pound of formula (XVII), Q is NR ³⁶ , T is direct bond, R ³⁶ is phenyl, biphenyl or naphthyl, R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H, m is 0, n is 0 and R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ and R ³¹ are H .

Most preferred compounds of formula (XVII) are compounds of formula (XVII), wherein Q is a direct bond, especially preferred are therefore compounds (XVIIb), more preferably (XVI Ib1 ) to (XVIIb12).

According to a further preferred embodiment, the heteroaryl group according to general formula (XVI) corresponds to general formula (XVII’)

(XVII’), wherein R ²⁶ , R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , M, Q, T, n and m have the same meanings as mentioned above and

R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ , R ⁴² are independently of each other selected from H , a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one C6-Ci2aryl or by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, preferably H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, preferably R ³⁹ , R ⁴⁰ , R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² are H.

Preferred compounds of formula (XVII’) are compounds of the following formula (XVI I’a), where in T is a direct bond, and compounds of formula (XVII’b), wherein Q is a direct bond: wherein residues, symbols and indices have the same meanings as mentioned above.

Preferably, R ²⁸ , R ²⁹ , R ³⁰ , R ³¹ , R ³⁷ and R ³⁸ are H.

R ²⁶ is preferably H or two R ²⁶ that are present at adjacent carbon atoms together form a fused phenyl ring.

More preferred compounds of formula (XVII’) are the following compounds:

wherein A is S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , preferably S, O, CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , and

Q and T are independently of each other S, O, SiR ³² R ³³ , CR ³⁴ R ³⁵ or NR ³⁶ , preferably NR ³⁶ .

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, R ²⁶ in the N-heteroaryl groups according to general formulae (XIII), (XIV), (XV), (XVII) and (XVII’) may correspond to the following formula (XVIII)

(XVIII) wherein R ⁴⁵ , R ⁴⁶ , R ⁴⁷ , R ⁴⁸ , R ⁴⁹ , R ⁵⁰ , R ⁵¹ and R ⁵² are independently of each other H, E, a C ₆ - C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, Ci-C3oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Ci-C2salkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a C ₇ -C25aralkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C5- Ci2cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E,

or

at least two of R ⁴⁶ , R ⁴⁷ , R ⁴⁹ , R ⁵⁰ , R ⁵¹ or R ⁵² , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, together form at least one C ₆ -Cisaryl or Ci-Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system, wherein E and D have the same meanings as mentioned above.

Particularly preferred R ⁴⁵ , R ⁴⁶ , R ⁴⁷ , R ⁴⁹ , R ⁵⁰ , R ⁵¹ and R ⁵² are independently of each other H, E, a unsubstituted C ₆ -Cisaryl group or a C ₆ -Cisaryl group substituted with at least one group E, or a Ci-C alkyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupt ed by at least one group D, preferably H, phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl or dimethylflu- orenyl.

R ⁴⁸ is particularly preferred H, a unsubstituted C ₆ -Cisaryl group or a C ₆ -Cisaryl group substituted with at least one group E, preferably phenyl, biphenhyl or naphthyl.

Further preferred at least two of R ⁴⁶ , R ⁴⁷ , R ⁴⁹ , R ⁵⁰ , R ⁵¹ or R ⁵² , most preferably R ⁵¹ and R ⁵² if pre sent at adjacent carbon atoms, together form at least one C ₆ -Cisaryl or Ci-Cisheteroaryl ring or ring system, most preferably a fused phenyl ring.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, in general formula (XVIII) R ⁴⁵ , R ⁴⁶ , R ⁴⁷ , R ⁴⁹ ,

R50, R51 _anc | R52 g _re |-| g _nc | R48 j _s phenyl .

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, in general formula (XVIII) R ⁴⁵ , R ⁴⁶ , R ⁴⁷ , R ⁴⁹ and R ⁵⁰ are H, R ⁵¹ and R ⁵² form a fused phenyl ring and R ⁴⁸ is phenyl.

N-heteroaryl groups according to general formula (XXIV)

In one embodiment of the present invention, the N-heteroaryl group is represented by the gen eral formula (XXIV)

(XXIV),

wherein the groups X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ and X ⁶ and M and m are defined above and the dotted line is a bonding site.

Preferred groups of formula (XXIV) are:

wherein X ¹ , X ² and X ³ are independently of each other CR ^c or N, wherein in formula (XXIVa) at least one of X ¹ , X ² and X ³ is N , and wherein in formulae (XXI Vb) and (XXI Vc) at least one of X ¹ and X ³ is N;

R ^a , R ^b and R ^c are independently of each other H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C1-C24 heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C ₇ -C25aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one C1- Cisalkoxy group, or a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is optionally interrupted by at least one O;

or at least two of R ^c , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form at least one five or six membered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, to which at least one further substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, carbocy- clic or heterocyclic, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring may be fused;

the ring A is a five or six membered substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, carbo- cyclic or heterocyclic, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, and which may be fused with a further five or six membered substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, carbocyclic or heter ocyclic, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring;

c is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4;

d is 0, 1 , 2 or 3;

M is a C6-C40 arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C1- C24heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E;

m is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, preferably 0, 1 or 2;

wherein the dotted lines are bonding sites.

Examples for suitable N-heteroaryl groups represented by the general formula (XXIV) are:

wherein R ^a and R ^b are independently of each other H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or sub stituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, by at least one C ₆ -Cisaryl group and/or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, preferably H or an unsubstituted or phenyl substituted phenyl group. N-heteroaryl groups according to general formula (XXV)

In one embodiment of the present invention, the N-heteroaryl group is represented by the gen eral formula (XXV)

wherein the groups A, B, R ^d and R ^e and M and m are defined above and the dotted line is a bonding site.

Preferred groups of formula (XXV) are:

wherein

X ⁵ is CR9 or N;

X ⁴ is O, S or NR ^h ; R ^d , R ^e , R ^f , R9 and R ^h are independently of each other H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubsti tuted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C1-C24 heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C ₇ -C25aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substitut ed by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, or a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is optionally interrupted by at least one O; or at least two of R ^f , if present at adjacent carbon atoms, may form at least one five or six mem- bered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, to which at least one further substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or het eroaromatic ring may be fused;

or R ^h and R ^d may form at least one five or six membered, substituted or unsubstituted, saturat ed, unsaturated, carbocyclic or heterocyclic, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, to which at least one further substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring may be fused,

e is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4;

f is 0, 1 , 2 or 3;

M is a C6-C40 arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C1- C24heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E;

m is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, preferably 0, 1 or 2;

wherein the dotted lines are bonding sites.

Examples for suitable N-heteroaryl groups represented by the general formula (XXV) are:

Aryl groups according to general formulae (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX)

In one embodiment of the present invention, the aryl group is represented by the general formu lae (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX)

wherein

R, R, R ^k , R ¹ , R ^m , R ⁿ , R°, RP, R , R ^s , R', R ^u , R ^v , R ^w , R ^x , R ^y and R ^z are independently of each other H or a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, g is 0, 1 or 2;

h is 0, 1 or 2,

i is 0, 1 or 2;

M is a C ₆ -C ₄ o arylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a C1- C2 ₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E;

m is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, preferably 0, 1 or 2;

wherein the dotted lines are bonding sites.

Examples for suitable aryl groups represented by the general formulae (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX) are:

wherein

Ri and R* are independently of each a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or by at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group. In formulae (XII), (XIII), (XV), (XVII), (XXI), (XXIV) or (XXV) or a Ci-C ₄ oaryl group of the following formulae (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX) and their preferred embod iments mentioned above, the following is preferred:

In general, m is 1 , 2, 3 or 4, wherein m describes the number of groups M present. If m is 0, no group M is present, but at least one of the N-heteroaryl groups respectively the aryl groups mentioned above are directly attached to carbon atom within the skeleton of the compound of general formula (I). Preferably, m is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, more preferably, m is 0 or 1.

Preferably, M is a Ob-O ₄ o arylene group which is unsubstituted, a Ci-C2 ₄ heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or a Ci-C2s alkylene group which is unsubstituted. Particularly preferred,

M is a C6-C18 arylene group which is unsubstituted, most preferably a phenylene group or a bi- phenylene group, for example:

wherein the dotted lines are bonding sites.

Preferably, R ²⁶ in the formulae mentioned above is independently of each other selected from H, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and a Ci- C3oheteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E.

The present invention therefore preferably relates to compounds according to formula (I), pref erably (la), more preferably (Ia1) as mentioned above, wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹

are independently of each other H, -CN, a Ci-C2salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a group of formula (XII), (XIII), (XV), (XVI or (XXV) (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX yl group which is unsubstituted or substitut ed by at least one group E, a group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, -OR ^{2 18} , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CONR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ ,

-SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , or halogen, preferably H, wherein at least one of X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ , X ⁶ , X ⁷ , X ⁸ and X ⁹ is OR ¹ , OR ² , OR ³ , OR ⁴ , OR ⁵ , OR ⁶ , OR ⁷ , OR ⁸ or OR ⁹ , wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ or R ⁹ , preferably one or both of R ¹ and R ⁸ or one or both of R ¹ and R ⁷ , is -CN, a Ci-C2salkyl group which is unsubstitut- ed or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a group of formula (XII), (XIII), (XV ) or (XXV) (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or ( kyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ ,

-CONR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , or halogen.

More preferably in the compounds according to formula (I), preferably (la), more preferably (Ia1 ) as mentioned above, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹

are independently of each other H or a group of formula (XII), (XIII), (XV), (XVII), (XXI), (XXIV) or (XXV) (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX);

wherein at least one of R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹ is a group of formula (XII), (XIII), (XV), (XVII), (XXI), (XXIV) or (XXV) (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX).

In a further preferred embodiment, in the compounds according to formula (I), preferably (la), more preferably (Ia1 ) as mentioned above, R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁹ are H, and one or both of R ¹ and R ⁸ are independently of each other a group of formula (XII), (XIII), (XV), (XVII), (XXI), (XXIV) or (XXV) (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX), a C ₇ -C ₂₅ aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably a group of formula (XII), (XIII), (XV), (XVII), (XXI), (XXIV) or (XXV) (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX); and the other of R ¹ and R ⁸ which is not a group of formula (XII), (XIII), (XV), (XVII), (XXI), (XXIV) or (XXV) (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX), a C ₇ - C25aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs- C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E is H

or

R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁸ and R ⁹ are H, and one or both of R ¹ and R ⁷ are independently of each other a group of formula (XII), (XIII), (XV), (XVII), (XXI), (XXIV) or (XXV) (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII) or (XXXIX), a C ₇ -C2saralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, preferably a group of formula (XII), (XIII), (XV), (XVII), (XXI), (XXIV) or (XXV) (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), ( ) or (XXXIX) and the other of R ¹ and R ⁷ which is not a group of formula (X VII), (XXI), (XXIV) or (XXV) (XXXIV), (XXXV), (XXXVI), (XXXVII), (XXXVIII -C2saralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E is H.

Particularly preferred molecules according to general formula (I) according to the present inven tion are shown in the following.

61

5 



70

73

74

75



The compound of formula (I) according to the present invention is for example prepared by a process at least comprising step (A)

(A) coupling of a compound according to general formula (la)

wherein at least one of X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ , X ⁶ , X ⁷ , X ⁸ and X ⁹ is C-A,

with a compound of formula R ¹ -H, R ² -H, R ³ -H, R ⁴ -H, R ⁵ -H, R ⁶ -H, R ⁷ -H, R ⁸ -H or R ⁹ -H to obtain a compound according to general formula (I),

wherein

A is a selected from Cl, Br, I, F, OSO2CH3, and OSO2CF3 or OSO2C6H4CFI3 _, wherein

X ¹ is CR ¹ or N ,

X ² is CR ² or N ,

X ³ is CR ³ or N ,

X ⁴ is CR ⁴ or N ,

X ⁵ is CR ⁵ or N ,

X ⁶ is CR ⁶ or N ,

X ⁷ is CR ⁷ or N ,

X ⁸ is CR ⁸ or N ,

X ⁹ is CR ⁹ or N ,

wherein at least one of X ¹ and X ² is N ,

R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹

are independently of each other H, -CN, a Ci-C2salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substitut ed by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ - (L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , a C ₇ -C25aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, -OR ²¹ , -SR ²¹ , -NR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CONR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , or halogen, wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ or R ⁹ in R ¹ -H, R ² -H , R ³ -H , R ⁴ -H , R ⁵ -H, R ⁶ -H, R ⁷ -H, R ⁸ -H or R ⁹ -H is -CN, a Ci-C25alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, a group of formula -(L ¹ ) ₀ -(L ² )p-(L ³ )q-(L ⁴ ) _r R ¹⁰ , a C ₇ - C25aralkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs- C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E, -OR ²¹ , -SR ²¹ , -NR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CON R ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , or halogen, or at least two of R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ⁹ if present at adjacent carbon atoms together form at least one C ₆ -Cisaryl or Ci-C2 ₄ heteroaryl ring or ring system,

L ¹ , L ² , L ³ and L ⁴ are independently of each other selected from a C ₆ -C ₄ oaryl group which is un substituted or substituted by at least one group E and a Ci-C2 ₄ heteroaryl group which is unsub stituted or substituted by at least one group E,

R ¹⁰ is H, -CN or a Ci-C2salkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and/or interrupted by at least one group D, o is independently of each other 0 or 1 , p is independently of each other 0 or 1 , q is inde pendently of each other 0 or 1 and r is independently of each other 0 or 1 , wherein at least one of o, p, q and r is 1 ;

D is independently of each other -CO-, -COO-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2-, -0-,-CR ¹⁵ =CR ¹⁶ -, -NR ¹⁷ -, -SiR ²² R ²³ -, -POR ²⁵ -, -C _º C-, E is independently of each other -OR ²¹ , -SR ²¹ , -NR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ , -COR ²⁰ , -COOR ¹⁹ , -CONR ¹⁷ R ¹⁸ ,

-ON, -SiR ²² R ²³ R ²⁴ , -POR ²⁵ R ²⁷ , halogen, a C6-C ₄ oaryl group which is unsubstituted or is substi tuted by at least one -F, -CF3, -CF2CF3, -CF2CF2CF3, -CF(CF3)2, -(CF2)3CF3 or -C(CF3)3, a Ci- C ₁₈ alkyl or a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is interrupted by at least one O, a Ci-C ₂₄ heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one -F, -CF ₃ , -CF ₂ CF ₃ , -CF ₂ CF ₂ CF _3, -CF(CF ₃ ) _2, -(CF ₂ ) ₃ CF3 or -C(CF ₃ ) ₃ ,

R ¹⁵ and R ¹⁶ are independently of each other H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group which is interrupted by at least one O,

R ¹⁷ and R ¹⁸ are independently of each other H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O, or

R ¹⁷ and R ¹⁸ together form a five or six membered aliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring,

R ¹⁹ is H, a C ₆ -Ci ₈ aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O,

R ²⁰ is H or a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a C1-C18 alkyl group or a Ci-Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O,

R ²¹ is independently of each other H, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group or at least one Ci-Cisalkoxy group, a Ci-Cisalkyl group or a Ci- Cisalkyl group, which is interrupted by at least one O,

R ²² · R ²³ and R ²⁴ are independently of each other H, a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C ₆ -Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, and

R ²⁵ and R ²⁷ are independently of each other H, a Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C6-Cisaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one Ci-Cisalkyl group, a C ₇ -C25aralkyl which is unsubsti tuted or substituted by at least one group E, a Cs-C^cycloalkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E,

wherein, in the case that o + p + q + r is 1 , L ¹ , L ² , L ³ respectively L ⁴ is selected from a C10- C ₄ oarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E and a het- eroarylene group having 10 to 24 ring atoms, which is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group E. Preferred groups X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , X ⁴ , X ⁵ , X ⁶ , X ⁷ , X ⁸ and X ⁹ - which are not C-A - are described above. Suitable reaction conditions are mentioned in the examples.

The compounds of formula (I) according to the present invention are particularly suitable for use in organic electronics applications, especially OLEDs, especially as a host material, a charge transporting material, charge and/or exciton blocking material, preferably having a good overall performance, especially improved efficiency and/or driving voltage, preferably as host material. The structure of organic electronics applications, especially OLEDs is known in the art. Suitable structures are described below.

Compounds of formula (!) according to the present invention in organic electronics applications

In the following applications of the compounds of formula (I) according to the present invention as mentioned above in organic electronic applications will be explained.

It has been found that the compounds of formula (I) according to the present invention are par ticularly suitable for use in applications in which charge carrier conductivity is required, especial ly for use in organic electronics applications, more preferably for use in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).

The compounds of formula (I) according to the present invention being particularly suitable in OLEDs for use in a light-emitting layer, wherein the compound of formula (I) is preferably used as a host material, a charge transporting material, charge and/or exciton blocking material, more preferably as a host material.

In a preferred embodiment, the compounds of formula (I) according to the present invention are present in OLEDs as a host, as a single host or as a host in combination with one or more fur ther hosts.

The present invention therefore relates to an electronic device, preferably an organic electrolu minescent device, more preferably an organic light emitting diode (OLED), comprising least one compound of formula (I) according to the present invention.

The present invention preferably further relates to the electronic device according to the present invention, preferably an organic electroluminescence device, more preferably an organic light emitting diode (OLED), comprising a cathode, an anode, and a plurality of organic layers pro vided between the cathode and the anode, wherein at least one of the plurality of organic layers comprising at least one compound of formula (I) according to the present invention.

The present invention preferably further relates to the electronic device according to the present invention, preferably an organic electroluminescence device, more preferably an organic light emitting diode (OLED), comprising a cathode, an anode, and a plurality of organic layers pro vided between the cathode and the anode, wherein at least one of the plurality of organic layers is an emitting layer, wherein at least one organic layer, preferably the emitting layer, comprise least one compound of formula (I) according to the present invention.

More preferably, the emitting layer comprises at least one compound of formula (I) according to the present invention as a host material.

In a further preferred embodiment, the emitting layer comprises a heavy-metal complex materi al.

In a further preferred embodiment, the organic layers in the electronic device according to the present invention, preferably an organic electroluminescence device, more preferably an organ ic light emitting diode (OLED), comprise an electron transporting layer comprising the at least one compound of formula (I) according to the present invention, said electron transporting layer placed between the anode and the emitting layer.

Further preferably, at least one of the layers between the emitting layer and the anode in the electronic device according to the present invention, preferably an organic electroluminescence device, more preferably an organic light emitting diode (OLED), comprises at least one selected from an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a rare earth metal, a compound comprising an al kali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or a rare earth metal, and a complex comprising an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or a rare earth metal.

The present invention further relates to an electronic equipment comprising the organic electro luminescence device according to the present invention.

The present invention also relates to an emitting layer, preferably present in an electronic de vice, more preferably in an electroluminescence device, particularly preferably in an organic light emitting diode (OLED), comprising least one compound of formula (I) according to the pre sent invention.

The present invention preferably further relates to the use of least one compound of formula (I) according to the present invention in an electronic device, preferably in an electroluminescence device, particularly preferably in an organic light emitting diode (OLED), preferably in an emit ting layer.

According to the present application, the terms matrix and host are used interchangeable.

Suitable structures of organic electronic devices, especially organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), are known to those skilled in the art and are specified below. Examples of preferred compounds according to general formulae (I) are shown above.

Most preferably, the electronic device according to the present invention is an organic light emit ting diode (OLED).

Structure of the inventive OLED

The inventive organic light-emitting diode (OLED) thus generally has the following structure: an anode (a) and a cathode (i) and a light-emitting layer (e) arranged between the anode (a) and the cathode (i).

The inventive OLED may, for example - in a preferred embodiment - be formed from the follow ing layers:

1 . Anode (a)

2. Hole transport layer (c)

3. Light-emitting layer (e)

4. Blocking layer for holes/excitons (f)

5. Electron transport layer (g)

6. Cathode (i)

Layer sequences different than the aforementioned structure are also possible, and are known to those skilled in the art. For example, it is possible that the OLED does not have all of the lay ers mentioned; for example, an OLED with layers (a) (anode), (e) (light-emitting layer) and (i) (cathode) is likewise suitable, in which case the functions of the layers (c) (hole transport layer) and (f) (blocking layer for holes/excitons) and (g) (electron transport layer) are assumed by the adjacent layers. OLEDs which have layers (a), (c), (e) and (i), or layers (a), (e), (f), (g) and (i), are likewise suitable. In addition, the OLEDs may have a blocking layer for electrons/excitons (d) between the hole transport layer (c) and the light-emitting layer (e).

It is additionally possible that a plurality of the aforementioned functions (electron/exciton block er, hole/exciton blocker, hole injection, hole conduction, electron injection, electron conduction) are combined in one layer and are assumed, for example, by a single material present in this layer. For example, a material used in the hole transport layer, in one embodiment, may simul taneously block excitons and/or electrons.

Furthermore, the individual layers of the OLED among those specified above may in turn be formed from two or more layers. For example, the hole transport layer may be formed from a layer into which holes are injected from the electrode, and a layer which transports the holes away from the hole-injecting layer into the light-emitting layer. The electron transport layer may likewise consist of a plurality of layers, for example a layer in which electrons are injected by the electrode, and a layer which receives electrons from the electron injection layer and transports them into the light-emitting layer. These layers mentioned are each selected according to fac tors such as energy level, thermal resistance and charge carrier mobility, and also energy dif ference of the layers specified with the organic layers or the metal electrodes. The person skilled in the art is capable of selecting the structure of the OLEDs such that it is matched opti mally to the organic compounds used in accordance with the invention.

In a preferred embodiment the OLED according to the present invention comprises in this order:

(a) an anode,

(b) optionally a hole injection layer,

(c) optionally a hole transport layer,

(d) optionally an exciton blocking layer

(e) an emitting layer,

(f) optionally a hole/ exciton blocking layer

(g) optionally an electron transport layer,

(h) optionally an electron injection layer, and

(i) a cathode.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the OLED according to the present invention comprises in this order:

(a) an anode,

(b) optionally a hole injection layer,

(c) a hole transport layer,

(d) an exciton blocking layer

(e) an emitting layer,

(f) a hole/ exciton blocking layer

(g) an electron transport layer, and

(h) optionally an electron injection layer, and

(i) a cathode.

The properties and functions of these various layers, as well as example materials are known from the prior art and are described in more detail below on basis of preferred embodiments.

A schematic structure of an example of the OLED in an aspect of the invention is for example shown in FIG. 1 wherein the OLED 1 comprises a substrate 2, an anode 3, a cathode 4, and an emission unit 10 disposed between the anode 3 and the cathode 4. The emission unit 10 com prises a light emitting layer 5 which comprises at least one emitting layer, preferably at least one phosphorescent emitting layer, containing a host material, preferably a phosphorescent host material, and a dopant material, preferably a phosphorescent dopant material (phosphorescent material). A hole injecting/transporting layer (an anode-side organic thin film layer) 6 may be disposed between the light emitting layer 5 and the anode 3, and an electron inject

ing/transporting layer (a cathode-side thin film layer) 7 may be disposed between the light emit ting layer 5 and the cathode 4. An electron blocking layer may be disposed on the anode 3 side of the light emitting layer 5, and a hole blocking layer may be disposed on the cathode 4 side of the light emitting layer 5. With these blocking layers, electrons and holes are confined in the light emitting layer 5 to increase the degree of exciton generation in the light emitting layer 5.

The least one compound of formula (I) according to the present invention may be present in any layer of the OLED, preferably a host material, a charge transporting material, charge and/or exciton blocking material. More preferably, the least one compound of formula (I) according to the present invention are present as host material in the emitting layer of the OLED.

Anode (a):

The anode is an electrode which provides positive charge carriers. It may be composed, for example, of materials which comprise a metal, a mixture of different metals, a metal alloy, a metal oxide or a mixture of different metal oxides. Alternatively, the anode may be a conductive polymer. Suitable metals comprise the metals of groups 1 1 , 4, 5 and 6 of the Periodic T able of the Elements, and also the transition metals of groups 8 to 10. When the anode is to be transparent, mixed metal oxides of groups 12, 13 and 14 of the Periodic Table of the Elements are generally used, for example indium tin oxide (ITO). It is likewise possible that the anode (a) comprises an organic material, for example polyaniline, as described, for example, in Nature, Vol. 357, pages 477 to 479 (June 1 1 , 1992). Preferred anode materials include conductive metal oxides, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and indium zinc oxide (IZO), aluminum zinc oxide (AIZnO), and metals. Anode (and substrate) may be sufficiently transparent to create a bottom- emitting device. A preferred transparent substrate and anode combination is commercially available ITO (anode) deposited on glass or plastic (substrate). A reflective anode may be preferred for some top-emitting devices, to increase the amount of light emitted from the top of the device. At least either the anode or the cathode should be at least partly transparent in order to be able to emit the light formed. Other anode materials and structures may be used.

Hole injection layer (b):

Generally, injection layers are comprised of a material that may improve the injection of charge carriers from one layer, such as an electrode or a charge generating layer, into an adjacent or ganic layer. Injection layers may also perform a charge transport function. The hole injection layer may be any layer that improves the injection of holes from anode into an adjacent organic layer. A hole injection layer may comprise a solution deposited material, such as a spin-coated polymer, or it may be a vapor deposited small molecule material, such as, for example, CuPc or MTDATA (4,4',4"-Tris[(3-methylphenyl)phenylamino]triphenylamine ),

Polymeric hole-injection materials can be used such as poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK), polythio phenes, polypyrrole, polyaniline, self-doping polymers, such as, for example, sulfonated poly(thiophene-3-[2[(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]-2,5-diyl) (Plexcore ^® OC Conducting Inks com- mercially available from Plextronics), and copolymers such as poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(4-styrenesulfonate) also called PEDOT/PSS.

Hole transport layer (c):

According to a preferred embodiment the OLED according to the present invention comprises at least one compound according to general formula (I) or their preferred embodiments as a charge transporting material, preferably as a hole transporting layer. In addition to the com pounds according to general formula (I) or without these compounds either hole-transporting molecules or polymers may be used as the hole transport material. Suitable hole transport ma terials for layer (c) of the inventive OLED are disclosed, for example, in Kirk-Othmer Encyclope- dia of Chemical Technology, 4th Edition, Vol. 18, pages 837 to 860, 1996, Further suitable hole transport materials for layer (c) of the inventive OLED are triarylamines with

(di)benzothiophen/(di)benzofuran; indolocarbazoles, and substituted phenylamine compounds. Combination of different hole transport material may be used. Examples are

constitute the hole transport layer.

Customarily used hole-transporting molecules are selected from the group consisting of

henyl-

phenyl)phenyl]anilino)phenyl]phenyl]aniline) phenyl-N-(4- phenylphenyl)-N-[4-[4-(4-phenyl-N-(4-phenylphenyl)anilino)ph enyl]phenyl]aniline), phenyl-N-[4-(9-phenylcarbazol-3-yl)phenyl]-N-(4-phenylphenyl )aniline),

tetraphenylspiro[1 ,3,2-benzodiazasilole-2,2'-3a,7a-dihydro-1 ,3,2-

benzodiazasilole] -octakis(p- tolyl)-9,9'-spirobi[fluorene]-2,2',7,7'-tetramine),

4,4'-bis[N-(1 -naphthyl)-N-phenylamino]biphenyl (a-N PD), N,N‘-diphenyl-N,N‘-bis(3- methylphenyl)-[1 ,1‘-biphenyl]-4,4‘-diamine (TPD), 1 ,1 -bis[(di-4-tolylamino)phenyl]cyclohexane (TAPC), N,N‘-bis(4-methylphenyl)-N,N‘-bis(4-ethylphenyl)-[1 ,1‘-(3,3‘-dimethyl)biphenyl]-4,4‘- diamine (ETPD), tetrakis(3-methylphenyl)-N,N,N‘,N‘-2,5-phenylenediamine (PDA), a-phenyl-4- N,N-diphenylaminostyrene (TPS), p-(diethylamino)benzaldehyde diphenylhydrazone (DEH), triphenylamine (TPA), bis[4-(N,N-diethylamino)2-methylphenyl](4-methylphenyl)metha ne (MPMP), 1 -phenyl-3-[p-(diethylamino)styryl]5-[p-(diethylamino)phenyl] pyrazoline (PPR or DEASP), 1 ,2-trans-bis(9H-carbazol9-yl)-cyclobutane (DCZB), N,N,N‘,N‘-tetrakis(4- methylphenyl)-(1 ,T-biphenyl)-4,4‘-diamine (TTB), fluorine compounds such as 2, 2', 7,7'- tetra(N,N-di-tolyl)amino9,9-spirobifluorene (spiro-TTB), N,N'-bis(naphthalen-1 -yl)-N,N'- bis(phenyl)9,9-spirobifluorene (spiro-NPB) and 9,9-bis(4-(N,N-bis-biphenyl-4-yl-amino)phenyl- 9Hfluorene, benzidine compounds such as N ,N’-bis(naphthalen-1 -yl)-N,N’-bis(phenyl)benzidine and porphyrin compounds such as copper phthalocyanines. In addition, polymeric hole-injection materials can be used such as poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK), polythiophenes, polypyrrole, poly aniline, self-doping polymers, such as, for example, sulfonated poly(thiophene-3-[2[(2- methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]-2,5-diyl) (Plexcore® OC Conducting Inks commercially available from Plextronics), and copolymers such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(4- styrenesulfonate) also called PEDOT/PSS. Preferred examples of a material of the hole inject ing layer are a porphyrin compound, an aromatic tertiary amine compound, or a styrylamine compound. Particularly preferable examples include an aromatic tertiary amine compound such as hexacyanohexaazatriphenylene (HAT).

The hole-transporting layer may also be electronically doped in order to improve the transport properties of the materials used, in order firstly to make the layer thicknesses more generous (avoidance of pinholes/short circuits) and in order secondly to minimize the operating voltage of the device. Electronic doping is known to those skilled in the art and is disclosed, for example, in W. Gao, A. Kahn, J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 94, 2003, 359 (p-doped organic layers); A. G. Werner, F. Li, K. Harada, M. Pfeiffer, T. Fritz, K. Leo, Appl. Phys. Lett., Vol. 82, No. 25, 2003, 4495 and Pfeiffer et al., Organic Electronics 2003, 4, 89 - 103 and K. Walzer, B. Maennig, M. Pfeiffer, K. Leo, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2007, 107, 1233. For example it is possible to use mixtures in the hole transporting layer, in particular mixtures which lead to electrical p-doping of the hole

transporting layer. p-Doping is achieved by the addition of oxidizing materials. These mixtures may, for example, be the following mixtures: mixtures of the abovementioned hole transport materials with at least one metal oxide, for example M0O2, M0O3, WO _x , Re0 ₃ and/or V2O5, preferably M0O3 and/or Re03, more preferably M0O3, or mixtures comprising the aforemen tioned hole transport materials and one or more compounds selected from 7, 7,8,8- tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F ₄ - TCNQ), 2,5-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane, bis(tetra-n- butylammonium)tetracyanodiphenoquinodimethane, 2,5-dimethyl-7,7,8,8-tetra- cyanoquinodimethane, tetracyanoethylene, 11 ,11 ,12,12-tetracyanonaphtho2,6-quinodimethane, 2-fluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquino-dimethane, 2,5-difluoro-7,7,8,8etracyanoquinodimethane, di- cyanomethylene-1 ,3,4,5,7,8-hexafluoro-6Hnaphthalen-2-ylidene)malononitrile (Fe-TNAR), Mo(tfd) ₃ (from Kahn et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131 (35), 12530-12531 ), and quinone compounds.

Exciton blocking layer (d):

Blocking layers may be used to reduce the number of charge carriers (electrons or holes) and/or excitons that leave the emissive layer. An electron/exciton blocking layer (d) may be dis posed between the first emitting layer (e) and the hole transport layer (c), to block electrons from emitting layer (e) in the direction of hole transport layer (c). Blocking layers may also be used to block excitons from diffusing out of the emissive layer.

Suitable metal complexes for use as electron/exciton blocker material are, for example, transi tion metal, especially Ir, carbene complexes.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one compound of gen eral formula (I) is present in the exciton blocking layer of the OLED according to the present invention. Emitting layer (e)

The light emitting layer is an organic layer having a light emitting function and is formed from one or more layers, wherein one of the layers comprises a host material (first host material), optionally a second host material, and the light emitting material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one compound of gen eral formula (I) is present in the emitting layer of the OLED according to the present invention, preferably as host material.

When the light emitting layer is composed of two or more layers, the light emitting layer or layers other than that mentioned above contains or contain a host material and a dopant material when a doping system is employed. The major function of the host material is to promote the recombination of electrons and holes and confine excitons in the light emitting layer. The dopant material causes the excitons generated by recombination to emit light efficiently.

In case of a phosphorescent device, the major function of the host material is to confine the ex citons generated on the dopant in the light emitting layer.

The light emitting layer may be made into a double dopant layer, in which two or more kinds of dopant materials having high quantum yield are used in combination and each dopant material emits light with its own color. For example, to obtain a yellow emission, a light emitting layer formed by co-depositing a host, a red-emitting dopant and a green-emitting dopant is used.

In a laminate of two or more light emitting layers, electrons and holes are accumulated in the interface between the light emitting layers, and therefore, the recombination region is localized in the interface between the light emitting layers, to improve the quantum efficiency.

The light emitting layer may be different in the hole injection ability and the electron injection ability, and also in the hole transporting ability and the electron transporting ability each being expressed by mobility.

The light emitting layer is formed, for example, by a known method, such as a vapor deposition method, a spin coating method, and LB method. Alternatively, the light emitting layer may be formed by making a solution of a binder, such as resin, and the material for the light emitting layer in a solvent into a thin film by a method such as spin coating.

The light emitting layer is preferably a molecular deposit film. The molecular deposit film is a thin film formed by depositing a vaporized material or a film formed by solidifying a material in the state of solution or liquid. The molecular deposit film can be distinguished from a thin film formed by LB method (molecular build-up film) by the differences in the assembly structures and higher order structures and the functional difference due to the structural differences. The light-emitting layer (e) comprises at least one fluorescence or phosphorescence emitter, suitable emitter materials being known to those skilled in the art.

The emission wavelength of the phosphorescent dopant used in the light emitting layer is not particularly limited. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the phosphorescent dopants used in the light emitting layer has the peak of emission wavelength of in general 430 nm or longer and 780 nm or shorter, preferably 490 nm or longer and 700 nm or shorter and more preferably 490 nm or longer and 650 nm or shorter. Most preferred are green emitter materials (490 to 570 nm). In another preferred embodiment, red emitter materials (570 to 680 nm) are preferred.

The phosphorescent dopant (phosphorescent emitter material) is a compound which usually emits light by releasing the energy of excited triplet state.

The compounds according to general formula (I) are most preferably used as the matrix (=host material) in the light-emitting layer.

Suitable metal complexes for use in the inventive OLEDs, preferably as emitter material, are known in the art.

Further suitable metal complexes are the commercially available metal complexes tris(2- phenylpyridine)iridium(lll), iridium(lll) tris(2-(4-tolyl)pyridinato-N,C ² ’), bis(2- phenylpyridine)(acetylacetonato)iridium(lll), iridium(lll) tris(l-phenylisoquinoline), iridium(lll) bis(2,2’-benzothienyl)pyridinato-N,C ³ ’)(acetylacetonate), tris(2-phenylquinoline)iridium(lll), iridi- um(lll) bis(2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-N,C ² )picolinate, iridium(lll) bis(1- phenylisoquinoline)(acetylacetonate), bis(2-phenylquinoline)(acetylacetonato)iridium(lll), iridi- um(lll) bis(di-benzo[f,h]quinoxaline)(acetylacetonate), iridium(lll) bis(2-methyldi- benzo[f,h]quinoxaline)(acetylacetonate) and tris(3-methyl-1 -phenyl-4-trimethylacetyl-5- pyrazolino)terbium(lll), bis[1-(9,9-dimethyl-9H-fluoren-2-yl)isoquinoline](acetyl- acetonato)iridium(lll), bis(2-phenylbenzothiazolato)(acetylacetonato)iridium(lll), bis(2-(9,9- dihexylfluorenyl)-1-pyridine)(acetylacetonato)iridium(lll), bis(2-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl- pyridine)(acetylacetonato)iridium(l II).

In addition, the following commercially available materials are suitable:

tris(dibenzoylacetonato)mono(phenanthroline)europium(lll) , tris(dibenzoylmethane)- mono(phenanthroline)europium(lll), tris(dibenzoylmethane)mono(5-aminophenanthroline)- europium(lll), tris(di-2-naphthoylmethane)mono(phenanthroline)europium(lll) , tris(4- bromobenzoylmethane)mono(phenanthroline)europium(lll), tris(di(biphenyl)methane)- mono(phenanthroline)europium(lll), tris(dibenzoylmethane)mono(4,7-diphenyl- phenanthroline)europium(lll), tris(dibenzoylmethane)mono(4,7-di-methyl- phenanthroline)europium(lll), tris(dibenzoylmethane)mono(4,7-dimethylphenanthrolinedisulfo nic acid)europium(lll) disodium salt, tris[di(4-(2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethoxy)benzoylmethane)]mono- (phenanthroline)europium(l II) and tris[di[4-(2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethoxy)benzoylmethane)]mono(5- aminophenanthroline)europium(lll), osmium(ll) bis(3-(trifluoromethyl)-5-(4-tert-butylpyridyl)- 1 ,2,4-triazolato)diphenylmethylphosphine, osmium(ll) bis(3-(trifluoromethyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)-1 ,2,4- triazole)dimethylphenylphosphine, osmium(ll) bis(3-(trifluoromethyl)-5-(4-tert-butylpyridyl)-1 ,2,4- triazolato)dimethylphenylphosphine, osmium(ll) bis(3-(trifluoromethyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)- pyrazolato)dimethylphenylphosphine, tris[4,4'-di-tert-butyl(2,2')-bipyridine]ruthenium(l 11), osmi- um(ll) bis(2-(9,9-dibutylfluorenyl)-1-isoquinoline(acetylacetonate) .

Selected emitters, especially red emitters are

96

97

Further preferred red emitters are the following compounds:

Ir(acac) acac)

Ir(acac)

acac) cac)

Ir(acac)

Ir(acac)

The emitter materials (dopants), preferably the phosphorescent emitter materials, may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Further red emitters that may be used in the OLEDs according to the present invention are shown in the following:

According to a further embodiment of the OLED according to the present invention, the light emitting layer may comprise at least one fluorescent, preferably blue, emitter. Examples of pre ferred blue dopants that may be present in the light emitting layer of the OLED according to the present invention are polycyclic amine derivatives. Particularly preferred aromatic amine deriva tives are selected from compounds according to the following formula (20):

(20)

In the formula (20), Y is a substituted or unsubstituted fused aromatic hydrocarbon group includ ing 10 to 50 ring carbon atoms.

Anoi, and Ano2 are independently a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group including 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring group including 5 to 50 ring atoms.

Specific examples of Y include the above-mentioned fused aryl group. Y is preferably a substi tuted or unsubstituted anthryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted pyrenyl group or a substitut ed or unsubstituted chrysenyl group. n is an integer of 1 to 4. It is preferred that n be an integer of 1 to 2. The above-mentioned formula (20) is preferably one represented by the following formulae (21 )

In the formulae (21) to (24), R _e , R _f and R _g are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group including 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group including 2 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group including 2 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aralykyl group including 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or un substituted cycloalkyl group including 3 to 20 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group including 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group in cluding 6 to 20 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group including 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted silyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl germanium group including 1 to 50 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl germa nium group including 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms. R _e , R _f and R _g may independently be bonded to any of the bonding positions of the benzene rings that constitutes the fused polycyclic skeleton. As preferable examples of R _e , R _f and R _g , a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group including 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms can be given. More preferably, R _e , R _f and R _g are a substituted or unsubsti tuted phenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl group, or the like. t is an integer of 0 to 10. u is an integer of 0 to 8. m is an integer of 0 to 10. Ar ₂ oi to Ar _2i s are independently an aryl group including 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstitut ed heterocyclic group including 5 to 50 ring atoms.

Preferred examples of Ar ₂ oi to Ar _2i s include a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a sub stituted or unsubstituted dibenzofuranyl group or the like. As preferable examples of the substit uent of Ar ₂ oi to Ar _2i s, an alkyl group, a cyano group and a substituted or unsubstituted silyl group can be given.

In the formulae (21 ) to (24), as examples of the alkyl group, the alkoxy group, the aryl group, the aryloxy group and the heterocyclic group, those exemplified above can be given.

As the alkenyl group including 2 to 50, preferably 2 to 30, more preferably 2 to 20, and particu larly preferably 2 to 10, carbon atoms, a vinyl group, an allyl group, a 1-butenyl group, a 2- butenyl group, a 3-butenyl group, a 1 ,3-butanedienyl group, a 1-methylvinyl group, a styryl group, a 2,2-diphenylvinyl group, a 1 ,2-diphenylvinyl group, a 1-methylallyl group, a 1 ,1- dimethylallyl group, a 2-methylallyl group, a 1-phenylallyl group, a 2-phenylallyl group, a 3- phenylallyl group, a 3,3-diphenylallyl group, a 1 ,2-dimethylallyl group, a 1 -phenyl-1 -butenyl group, a 3-phenyl-1 -butenyl group or the like can be given. Preferred are a styryl group, a 2,2- diphenylvinyl group, a 1 ,2-diphenylvinyl group or the like.

As the alkynyl group including 2 to 50 (preferably 2 to 30, more preferably 2 to 20, particularly preferably 2 to 10) carbon atoms, a propargyl group, a 3-pentynyl group or the like can be giv en.

As the alkyl germanium group, a methylhydrogermyl group, a trimethylgermyl group, a triethyl- germyl group, a tripropylgermyl group, a dimethyl-t-butylgermyl group or the like can be given.

As the aryl germanium group, a phenyldihydrogermyl group, a diphenylhydrogermyl group, a triphenylgermyl group, a tritolylgermyl group, a trinaphthylgermyl group or the like can be given.

As the styrylamine compound and the styryldiamine compound, those represented by the fol lowing formulas (17) and (18) are preferable.

( l 8 )

In the formula (17), Ar ₃ oi is a k-valent group; a k-valent group corresponding to a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, a biphenyl group, a terphenyl group, a stilbene group, a styrylaryl group and a distyrylaryl group. Ar ₃ o2 and Ar _3o3 are independently an aryl group including 6 to 20 ring carbon atoms, and Ar ₃ oi, AG ₃₀₂ and Ar _3o3 may be substituted. k is an integer of 1 to 4, with an integer of 1 and 2 being preferable. Any one of Ar ₃ oi to Ar _3o3 is a group including a styryl group. It is further preferred that at least one of Ar ₃ o2 and Ar _3o3 be substi tuted by a styryl group.

As for the aryl group including 6 to 20 ring carbon atoms, the above-mentioned aryl group can be specifically given. Preferable examples include a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, an an- thranyl group, a phenanthryl group, a terphenyl group or the like.

In the formula (18), Ar _3o4 to Ar ₃ o ₆ are a v-valent substituted or unsubstituted aryl group including 6 to 40 ring carbon atoms v is an integer of 1 to 4, with an integer of 1 and 2 being preferable.

Here, as the aryl group including 6 to 40 ring carbon atoms in the formula (18), the above- mentioned aryl group can be specifically given. A naphthyl group, an anthranyl group, a chrys- enyl group, a pyrenyl group or an aryl group represented by the formula (20) is preferable.

As preferable substituents that substitute on the aryl group, an alkyl group including 1 to 6 car bon atoms, an alkoxy group including 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group including 6 to 40 ring carbon atoms, an amino group substituted by an aryl group including 6 to 40 ring carbon atoms, an ester group including an aryl group that includes 5 to 40 ring carbon atoms, an ester group including an alkyl group that includes 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a nitro group, a halo gen atom or the like can be given.

A further suitable emitter material is shown below:

The content of the emitter materials (dopants), preferably the phosphorescent emitter materials, in the light emitting layer is not particularly limited and selected according to the use of the de- vice, and preferably 0.1 to 70% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 30% by mass. If being 0.1 % by mass or more, the amount of light emission is sufficient. If being 70% by mass or less, the concentration quenching can be avoided. The further component in the emitting layer is usually one or more host material, which is preferably present in an amount of 30 to 99.9 % by mass, more preferably 70 to 99% by mass, wherein the sum of the emitter material(s) and the host material(s) is 100% by mass.

Host (matrix) materials

The compound of formula (I) is preferably employed as host material, more preferably as phos phorescent host material.

The light-emitting layer may comprise further components in addition to the emitter material. For example, a fluorescent dye may be present in the light-emitting layer in order to alter the emis sion color of the emitter material. In addition - in a preferred embodiment - a matrix material can be used. This matrix material may be a polymer, for example poly(N-vinylcarbazole) or pol ysilane. The matrix material may, however, be a small molecule, for example 4,4’-N,N’- dicarbazolebiphenyl (CDP=CBP) or tertiary aromatic amines, for example TCTA.

In the case that one or more phosphorescent emitter materials are used in the light emitting layer, one or more phosphorescent hosts are usually employed as host material. The phospho rescent host is a compound which confines the triplet energy of the phosphorescent dopant effi ciently in the light emitting layer to cause the phosphorescent dopant to emit light efficiently.

In a preferred embodiment, the light-emitting layer is formed of at least one emitter material and of at least one of the matrix materials (hosts) mentioned in this application. According to a pre ferred embodiment, the electronic device according to the present invention, preferably the OLED according to the present invention, comprises at least one compound according to gen eral formula (I) as matrix (host) material.

According to one embodiment, the light-emitting layer comprises at least one emitter material and at least two matrix materials (co-host system), wherein one of the matrix materials is a compound according to general formula (I) and the other matrix material(s) is/are used as co hosts). Suitable other host materials than the compounds of general formula (I) (co-hosts) are known by a person skilled in the art.“Further host materials” means in the sense of the present application, host materials different from the compounds of general formula (I). Flowever, it is also possible to use two or more different compounds of general formula (I) as host material in the light-emitting layer in an OLED of the present application. This embodiment is preferably realized with emitter materials that emit red light.

According to another embodiment, the light-emitting layer comprises at least one emitter mate rial and a compound according to general formula (I) as a single matrix material. Examples of preferred compounds of general formula (I) useful as single host material are shown above. This embodiment is preferably realized with emitter materials that emit red light.

In the case that the compound of formula (I) is not employed as host material, host materials known in the art are employed. A suitable host material (especially useful in the case of an or ganic emitter material) is for example:

In a more preferred embodiment, the light-emitting layer is formed from 0.1 to 70% by weight, preferably 1 to 30% by weight, of at least one of the aforementioned emitter materials and 30 to 99.9% by weight, preferably 70 to 99% by weight, of at least one of the matrix materials men tioned in the specification - in one preferred embodiment at least one compound according to general formula (I) - where the sum total of the emitter material and of the matrix material adds up to 100% by weight.

In a further more preferred embodiment, the light-emitting layer comprises a compound of gen eral formula (I) as matrix material, at least one further matrix material (co-host) and at least one emitter material. In said embodiment, the light-emitting layer is formed from 0.1 to 70% by weight, preferably 1 to 30% by weight, of the at least one emitter material and 30 to 99.9% by weight, preferably 70 to 99% by weight, of a compound according to general formula (I) and the further matrix material, where the sum total of the at least one emitter material, the further matrix material and of the compound of general formula (I) adds up to 100% by weight.

The content ratio of the compound according to general formula (I) as first host material and the second matrix material as co-host in the light emitting layer is not particularly limited and may be selected accordingly, and the ratio of first host material: second host material is preferably 1 :99 to 99:1 , more preferably 10:90 to 90:10, each based on mass.

Suitable host materials that may be used in the electronic device according to the present in vention as host materials, if the compounds according to the present invention are not used as host material, but for example as charge transporting material, i.e. as electron transporting ma terial or hole transporting material, are also known by a person skilled in the art.

According to the present invention, the compounds according to general formula (I) are prefera bly be used as host material in the light emitting layer of the electronic device, preferably in a OLED, according to the present invention. The compounds according to general formula (I) can be used (a) as single host materials or can be used (b) in combination with any compounds suitable as host materials as mentioned above. Electron transport layer (g):

Electron transport layer may include a material capable of transporting electrons. Electron transport layer may be intrinsic (undoped), or doped. Doping may be used to enhance conductivity.

The compound according to general formula (I) according to the present invention is also suita ble as electron transport material, either alone or in combination with one or more of the elec tron transport materials mentioned below. The compound according to general formula (I) ac cording to the present invention is preferably suitable as electron transport material, if a blue fluorescent emitter is present in the emitting layer.

Further suitable electron-transporting materials for layer (g) of the inventive OLEDs, which may be used in combination with the compound of general formula (I) according to the present invention or in absence of the compound of general formula (I) according to the present invention as electron transport material, comprise metals chelated with oxinoid compounds, such as tris(8-hydroxyquinolato)aluminum (Alq3), compounds based on phenanthroline such as 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1 ,10-phenanthroline (DDPA = BCP), 4,7-diphenyl-1 ,10- phenanthroline (Bphen), 2,4,7,9-tetraphenyM ,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-diphenyl-1 ,10- phenanthroline (DPA), and azole compounds such as 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1 ,3,4- oxadiazole (PBD) and 3-(4-biphenylyl)-4phenyl-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1 ,2,4-triazole (TAZ).

Further suitable electron transport materials, which may be used in combination with the com pound of general formula (I) according to the present invention or in absence of the compound of general formula (I) according to the present invention as electron transport material, are men tioned in Abhishek P. Kulkarni, Christopher J. Tonzola, Amit Babel, and Samson A. Jenekhe, Chem. Mater. 2004, 16, 4556-4573; G. Hughes, M. R. Bryce, J. Mater. Chem. 2005, 15, 94-107 and Yasuhiko Shirota and Hiroshi Kageyama, Chem. Rev. 2007, 107, 953-1010 (ETM, HTM).

It is likewise possible to use mixtures of at least two materials in the electron-transporting layer, in which case at least one material is electron-conducting. Preferably, in such mixed electron- transport layers, at least one phenanthroline compound is used, preferably BCP, or at least one pyridine compound according to the formula (XVI’) below, preferably a compound of the formula (XVI’a) below. More preferably, in mixed electron-transport layers, in addition to at least one phenanthroline compound, alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydroxyquinolate complexes, for example Liq, are used. Suitable alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydroxyquinolate complexes are specified below (formula XVI G).

The electron-transport layer may also be electronically doped in order to improve the transport properties of the materials used, in order firstly to make the layer thicknesses more generous (avoidance of pinholes/short circuits) and in order secondly to minimize the operating voltage of the device. Electronic doping is known to those skilled in the art and is disclosed, for example, in W. Gao, A. Kahn, J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 94, No. 1 , 1 July 2003 (p-doped organic layers); A. G. Werner, F. Li, K. Harada, M. Pfeiffer, T. Fritz, K. Leo, Appl. Phys. Lett., Vol. 82, No. 25, 23 June 2003 and Pfeiffer et al., Organic Electronics 2003, 4, 89 - 103 and K. Walzer, B. Maennig, M. Pfeiffer, K. Leo, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2007, 107, 1233. For example, it is possible to use mixtures which lead to electrical n-doping of the electron-transport layer. n-Doping is achieved by the addition of reducing materials. These mixtures may, for example, be mixtures of the abovemen- tioned electron transport materials with alkali/alkaline earth metals or alkali/alkaline earth metal salts, for example Li, Cs, Ca, Sr, CS2CO3, with alkali metal complexes, for example 8- hydroxyquinolatolithium (Liq), and with Y, Ce, Sm, Gd, Tb, Er, Tm, Yb, L N, Rb ₂ C03, dipotassi um phthalate, W(hpp) ₄ .

In a preferred embodiment, the electron-transport layer comprises at least one compound of the general formula (XVII’)

, in which

R ^32’ and R ^33’ are each independently F, Ci-Cs-alkyl, or C ₆ -Ci ₄ -aryl, which is optionally substitut ed by one or more Ci-Cs-alkyl groups, or

two R ^32’ and/or R ^33’ substituents together form a fused benzene ring which is optionally substi tuted by one or more Ci-Cs-alkyl groups;

a and b are each independently 0, or 1 , 2 or 3,

M ¹ is an alkaline metal atom or alkaline earth metal atom,

p is 1 when M ¹ is an alkali metal atom, p is 2 when M ¹ is an earth alkali metal atom.

A very particularly preferred compound of the formula which may be present as a single species, or in other forms such as Li _g Q _g in which g is an integer, for example Li ₆ Q ₆ . Q is an 8-hydroxyquinolate ligand or an 8-hydroxyquinolate derivative.

In a further preferred embodiment, the electron-transport layer comprises at least one com pound of the formula (XW), (XVI’), in which

R ^34" , R ^35” , R ^36” , R ^37” , R ^34’ , R ^35’ , R ^36’ and R ^37’ are each independently H , Ci-Cis-alkyl, Ci-Cis-alkyl which is substituted by E’ and/or interrupted by D’, C6-C2 ₄ -aryl, C6-C24-aryl which is substituted by G’, C2-C2o-heteroaryl or C2-C2o-heteroaryl which is substituted by G’,

Q is an arylene or heteroarylene group, each of which is optionally substituted by G’;

G’ is E’, Ci-Cis-alkyl, Ci-Cis-alkyl which is interrupted by D’, Ci-Cis-perfluoroalkyl, C1-C18- alkoxy, or Ci-Cis-alkoxy which is substituted by E’ and/or interrupted by D’, in which

R ^38’ and R ^39’ are each independently H , C ₆ -Cis-aryl; C ₆ -Cis-aryl which is substituted by C1-C18- alkyl or Ci-Cis-alkoxy; Ci-Cie-alkyl; or Ci-Ci ₈ -alkyl which is interrupted by -0-;

R ^40’ and R ^41’ are each independently Ob-Ci e-aryl; C ₆ -Ci ₈ -aryl which is substituted by Ci-Cie-alkyl or Ci-Cis-alkoxy; Ci-Cie-alkyl; or Ci-Cie-alkyl which is interrupted by -0-; or

R ^40’ and R ^41’ together form a 6-membered ring;

R ^42’ and R ^43’ are each independently Ob-Ci e-aryl; C ₆ -Cis-aryl which is substituted by Ci-Cie-alkyl or Ci-Cis-alkoxy; Ci-Cie-alkyl; or Ci-Cie-alkyl which is interrupted by -0-,

R ^44’ is C ₆ -Ci ₈ -aryl; C ₆ -Ci ₈ -aryl which is substituted by Ci-Cie-alkyl or Ci-Cis-alkoxy; Ci-Cie-alkyl; or Ci-Cie-alkyl which is interrupted by -0-,

R ^45’ and R ^46’ are each independently Ci-Cie-alkyl, C ₆ -Cis-aryl or C ₆ -Cis-aryl which is substituted by Ci-Cie-alkyl,

R ^47’ is Ci-Cie-alkyl, C ₆ -Ci ₈ -aryl or C ₆ -Ci ₈ -aryl which is substituted by Ci-Cie-alkyl.

Preferred compounds of the formula (XVI’) are compounds of the formula (XVI 'a)

in which Q is:

or

Particular preference is given to a compound of the formula

In a further, very particularly preferred embodiment, the electron-transport layer comprises a compound Liq and a compound ETM-2.

A further suitable electron transport material is:

In a preferred embodiment, the electron-transport layer comprises at least one compound of the formula (XVII ') in an amount of 99 to 1 % by weight, preferably 75 to 25% by weight, more pref erably about 50% by weight, and at least one compound of the formula (XVI’) in an amount of 1 to 99% by weight, preferably 25 to 75% by weight, more preferably about 50% by weight, where the amount of the compounds of the formulae (XVII’) and the amount of the compounds of the formulae (XVI ') adds up to a total of 100% by weight.

The preparation of the compounds of the formula (XVI’) is described in J. Kido et al., Chem. Commun. (2008) 5821-5823, J. Kido et al., Chem. Mater. 20 (2008) 5951-5953, or the com pounds can be prepared analogously to the processes disclosed in the aforementioned docu ments. It is likewise possible to use mixtures of alkali metal hydroxyquinolate complexes, preferably Liq, and dibenzofuran compounds in the electron-transport layer. Dibenzofuran compound

(A-10; = ETM-1) is most preferred. In a preferred embodiment, the electron-transport layer comprises Liq in an amount of 99 to 1 % by weight, preferably 75 to 25% by weight, more preferably about 50% by weight, and at least one dibenzofuran compound in an amount of 1 to 99% by weight, preferably 25 to 75% by weight, more preferably about 50% by weight, where the amount of Liq and the amount of the dibenzofuran compound(s), especially ETM-1 , adds up to a total of 100% by weight.

In a preferred embodiment, the electron-transport layer comprises at least one phenanthroline derivative and/or pyridine derivative.

In a further preferred embodiment, the electron-transport layer comprises at least one phenan- throline derivative and/or pyridine derivative and at least one alkali metal hydroxyquinolate complex.

In a further preferred embodiment, the electron-transport layer comprises ETM-1. In a further preferred embodiment, the electron-transport layer comprises a compound such as,

for example, a compound of formula (ETM-3), a compound

For example, the electron transporting material that may be present in the electron transporting layer of the OLED according to the present invention is an electron transporting material repre sented by formula (1 ):

A1 (-L1 -L2-L3-L4-Ar1 )m (1 ) wherein: each of L1 , L2, L3, and L4 independently represents a single bond, a substituted or unsubstitut ed alkylene group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenylene group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynylene group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylene group having 3 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, or a sub stituted or unsubstituted heteroarylene group having 5 to 30 ring atoms;

Ar1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substi tuted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or un substituted aryl group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted het eroaryl group having 5 to 30 ring atoms; A1 represents an m-valent residue of a ring-containing compound represented by formula (2); and m represents an integer of 1 or more:

(2)

wherein: ring X is a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated 5- to 8-membered ring having a ring nitrogen atom and a ring carbon atom; the ring X may be fused to one or more rings Y; and the ring Y represents a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon ring or a substituted or unsub stituted heteroring;

The ring Y preferably represents a substituted or unsubstituted non-fused aromatic hydrocarbon ring having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted fused aromatic hydrocar bon ring having 10 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted non-fused heteroring having 5 to 30 ring atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted fused heteroring having 10 to 30 ring atoms.

The electron transporting material of the invention is preferably represented by formula (1 -1 ) or (1 -2):

A1 1 (-L1 1 -L21 -L31 -L41 -Ar1 1 )p (1 -1 ) wherein: each of L1 1 , L21 , L31 , and L41 independently represents a single bond, a substituted or unsub stituted alkylene group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenylene group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynylene group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylene group having 3 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, or a sub stituted or unsubstituted heteroarylene group having 5 to 30 ring atoms; Ar1 1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a sub stituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or un substituted aryl group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted het eroaryl group having 5 to 30 ring atoms;

A1 1 represents a p-valent residue of a ring-containing compound represented by formula (2-1 ); and p represents an integer of 1 or more:

(2-1) wherein; each of R1 to R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a sub stituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubsti tuted aralkyl group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group having 5 to 30 ring atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsilyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsilyl group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted haloalkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylamino group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylamino group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a sub stituted or unsubstituted heteroarylamino group having 5 to 30 ring atoms, a substituted or un substituted acylamino group having 2 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted het- eroaryloxy group having 5 to 30 ring atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted acyl group having 2 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylcarbonyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a mercapto group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylthio group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a sulfonyl group, a boryl group, a phosphino group, an amino group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, or a valence bonded to L1 1 ; or a pair of R1 and R2, R2 and R3, or R3 and R4 are bonded to each other to form a ring Y represented by a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon ring or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroring.

A11 of formula (1-1) preferably represents a p-valent residue of a compound represented by formula (2-1 -1 ), (2-1 -2), or (2-1 -3):

(2-1-1)

wherein: each of R1 to R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a sub stituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubsti- tuted aralkyl group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylthio group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group having 5 to 30 ring at oms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsilyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsilyl group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms, an amino group substituted by a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsub stituted haloalkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylamino group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylamino group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroarylamino group having 5 to 30 ring atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted acylamino group having 2 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryloxy group having 5 to 30 ring atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted acyl group having 2 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylcarbonyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, mercapto group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or un substituted arylthio group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a sulfonyl group, an boryl group, a phosphino group, an amino group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, or a valence bonded to L 11 ; and

Y represents the ring Y.

Further, A11 preferably represents a p-valent residue of a compound represented by formula (2- 1 -2-1 ):

2 1 2 1

wherein: each of X1 to X4 independently represents CR5 or N; each of R1 , R4, and R5 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubsti tuted alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group hav ing 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or un substituted aralkyl group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted ar- yloxy group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group having 5 to 30 ring atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsilyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsilyl group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms, a substi tuted or unsubstituted haloalkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubsti tuted alkenyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylamino group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylamino group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroarylamino group having 5 to 30 ring atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted acylamino group having 2 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted he- teroaryloxy group having 5 to 30 ring atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted acyl group having 2 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylcarbonyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a mercapto group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylthio group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, a sulfonyl group, an boryl group, a phosphino group, an amino group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, or a valence bonded to L1 1 ; or R1 , R4, and R5 are each bonded to each other to form a ring which forms a part of the ring Y.

In one embodiment, the electron transporting layer of the electronic device, preferably of the OLED according to the present invention, between the light emitting layer and the cathode, preferably comprises at least one compound of the general formula (I).

In a preferred embodiment, the electron transporting layer comprising at least one compound of the general formula (I) further comprises a reducing dopant.

Examples of the reducing dopant include a donating metal, a donating metal compound, and a donating metal complex. The reducing dopant may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The reducing dopant referred to herein is an electron-donating material. The electron-donating material is a material which generates radical anions by the interaction with a coexisting organic material in the electron transporting layer or an organic material in a layer adjacent to the elec tron transporting layer, or a material having an electron-donating radical.

The donating metal is a metal having a work function of 3.8 eV or less, preferably an alkali met al, an alkaline earth metal, or a rare earth metal, and more preferably Cs, Li, Na, Sr, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, Yb, Eu, or Ce.

The donating metal compound is a compound comprising the above donating metal, preferably a compound comprising an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or a rare earth metal, and more preferably a halide, an oxide, a carbonate, or a borate of these metals, for example, a com- pound represented by MO _x (M: donating metal, x: 0.5 to 1.5), MF _X (x: 1 to 3), or M(CC>3) _X (x: 0.5 to 1 .5).

The donating metal complex is a complex comprising the above donating metal, preferably an organic metal complex of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a rare earth metal, and more preferably an organic metal complex represented by formula (G):

MQ _n (I’) wherein M is a donating metal, Q is a ligand, preferably a carboxylic acid derivative, a diketone derivative, or a quinoline derivative, and n is an integer of 1 to 4.

Examples of the donating metal complex include watermill-shaped tungsten compounds and phthalocyanine compounds having an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal as the central met al.

The reducing dopant is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a rare earth metal, an alkali metal oxide, an alkali metal halide, an alkaline earth metal oxide, an alkaline earth metal halide, a rare earth metal oxide, a rare earth metal halide, an organic complex having an alkali metal, an organic complex having an alkaline earth metal, and an organic complex having a rare earth metal, and more preferably a 8-quinolinol complex of an alkali metal.

Examples of the alkali metal includes:

Li (lithium, work function: 2.93 eV),

Na (sodium, work function: 2.36 eV),

K (potassium, work function: 2.3 eV),

Rb (rubidium, work function: 2.16 eV), and

Cs (cesium, work function: 1 .95 eV).

The values of work functions are based on Handbook of Chemistry (Pure Chemistry II, 1984, p. 493, edited by The Chemical Society of Japan). The same applies hereafter

Preferred examples of the alkaline earth metals are:

Ca (calcium, work function: 2.9 eV), Mg (magnesium, work function: 3.66 eV),

Ba (barium, work function: 2.52 eV), and Sr (strontium, work function: 2.0 to 2.5 eV).

The work function of strontium is based of Physics of Semiconductor Device (N Ύ., Wiley, 1969, p. 366).

Preferred examples of the rare earth metal are:

Yb (ytterbium, work function: 2.6 eV),

Eu (europium, work function: 2.5 eV),

Gd (gadolinium, work function: 3.1 eV), and Er (erbium, work function: 2.5 eV).

Examples of the alkali metal oxide include l_i ₂ 0, LiO, and NaO. The alkaline earth metal oxide is preferably CaO, BaO, SrO, BeO, or MgO.

Examples of the alkali metal halide include a fluoride, for example, LiF, NaF, CsF, and KF and a chloride, for example, LiCI, KCI, and NaCI.

The alkaline earth metal halide is preferably a fluoride, such as CaF ₂ , BaF ₂ , SrF ₂ , MgF ₂ , and BeF ₂ and a halide other than fluoride.

An electronic device, preferably an OLED, wherein at least one compound according to general formula (I) used in the electron transporting layer is particularly preferred because the driving voltage is reduced or/and the efficiency increases.

The electron transporting layer facilitates the injection of electrons into the light emitting layer and transports the electrons to the light emitting zone, and has a large electron mobility and an electron affinity generally as large as 2.5 eV or more. The electron transporting layer is prefera bly formed from a material capable of transporting electrons to the light emitting layer at a lower strength of electric field, preferably having an electron mobility of, for example, at least 10 ^~6 cm ² /V-s under an electric field of 10 ⁴ to 10 ⁶ V/cm.

The material for forming the electron injecting/transporting layer in combination with the com pound according to general formula (I) or without the compound according to general formula (I) is not particularly limited as long as having the preferred properties mentioned above and may be selected from those commonly used as the electron transporting material in the field of pho- toconductive materials and those known as the materials for the electron injecting/transporting layer of organic EL devices.

In the present invention, an electron injecting layer including an insulating material or a semi conductor may be disposed between the cathode and the organic layer. By such an electron injecting layer, the leak of electric current is effectively prevented to improve the electron inject ing ability. Preferred examples of the insulating material include at least one metal compound selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal chalcogenide, an alkaline earth metal chal- cogenide, an alkali metal halide, and an alkaline earth metal halide. An electron injecting layer including the above alkali metal chalcogenide is preferred because the electron injecting proper ty is further improved. Preferred alkali metal chalcogenides include Li ₂ 0, K ₂ 0, Na ₂ S, Na ₂ Se, and Na ₂ 0; preferred alkaline earth metal chalcogenides include CaO, BaO, SrO, BeO, BaS, and CaSe; preferred alkali metal halides include LiF, NaF, KF, LiCI, KCI, and NaCI; and preferred alkaline earth metal halides include fluoride such as CaF ₂ , BaF ₂ , SrF ₂ , MgF ₂ , and BeF ₂ and hal ides other than fluoride.

Examples of the semiconductor for the electron transporting layer include an oxide, a nitride and an oxynitride of at least one element selected from Ba, Ca, Sr, Yb, Al, Ga, In, Li, Na, Cd, Mg, Si, Ta, Sb, and Zn, which are used singly or in combination of two or more. It is preferred that the inorganic compound constituting the electron transporting layer forms a microcrystalline or amorphous insulating thin film. When constituted of the insulating thin film described above, the electron injecting layer is made more uniform to reduce the pixel defect such as dark spots. Ex amples of such a inorganic compound include the alkali metal chalcogenide, the alkaline earth metal chalcogenide, the alkali metal halide and the alkaline earth metal halide which are de scribed above.

Electron injection layer (h):

The electron injection layer may be any layer that improves the injection of electrons into an adjacent organic layer.

Lithium-comprising organometallic compounds such as 8-hydroxyquinolatolithium (Liq), CsF, NaF, KF, Cs ₂ CC>3 or LiF may be applied between the electron transport layer (g) and the cath ode (i) as an electron injection layer (h) in order to reduce the operating voltage.

Cathode (i):

The cathode (i) is an electrode which serves to introduce electrons or negative charge carriers. The cathode may be any metal or nonmetal which has a lower work function than the anode. Suitable materials for the cathode are selected from the group consisting of alkali metals of group 1 , for example Li, Cs, alkaline earth metals of group 2, metals of group 12 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, comprising the rare earth metals and the lanthanides and actinides. In addition, metals such as aluminum, indium, calcium, barium, samarium and magnesium, and combinations thereof, may be used.

In general, the different layers, if present, have the following thicknesses:

anode (a): 500 to 5000 A (angstrom), preferably 1000 to 2000 A;

hole injection layer (b): 50 to 1000 A, preferably 200 to 800 A,

hole-transport layer (c): 50 to 1000 A, preferably 100 to 800 A,

exciton blocking layer (d): 10 to 500 A, preferably 50 to 100 A,

light-emitting layer (e): 10 to 1000 A, preferably 50 to 600 A,

hole/ exciton blocking layer (f): 10 to 500 A, preferably 50 to 100 A,

electron-transport layer (g): 50 to 1000 A, preferably 200 to 800 A,

electron injection layer (h): 10 to 500 A, preferably 20 to 100 A,

cathode (i): 200 to 10 000 A, preferably 300 to 5000 A.

The person skilled in the art is aware (for example on the basis of electrochemical studies) of how suitable materials have to be selected.

In addition, it is possible that some of the layers used in the inventive OLED have been surface- treated in order to increase the efficiency of charge carrier transport. The selection of the mate rials for each of the layers mentioned is preferably determined by obtaining an OLED with a high efficiency and lifetime.

The inventive electronic device, preferably OLED, can be produced by methods known to those skilled in the art. In general, the inventive OLED is produced by successive vapor deposition of the individual layers onto a suitable substrate. Suitable substrates are, for example, glass, inor ganic semiconductors or polymer films. For vapor deposition, it is possible to use customary techniques, such as thermal evaporation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD) and others. In an alternative process, the organic layers of the OLED can be applied from solutions or dispersions in suitable solvents, employing coating techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Use of the compounds according to general formula (I) in at least one layer of the OLED, pref erably in the light-emitting layer, preferably as a host material, a charge transporting material, particularly preferably as a host material and hole or electron transporting material, makes it possible to obtain OLEDs, with high efficiency and with low use and operating voltage. Fre quently, the OLEDs obtained by the use of the compounds according to general formula (I) ad ditionally have long lifetime. The efficiency of the electronic devices, preferably OLEDs can ad ditionally be improved by optimizing the other layers of the OLEDs. For example, high-efficiency cathodes such as Ca or Ba, if appropriate in combination with an intermediate layer of LiF, can be used. Moreover, additional layers may be present in the OLEDs in order to adjust the energy level of the different layers and to facilitate electroluminescence. The OLEDs may further comprise at least one second light-emitting layer. The overall emission of the OLEDs may be composed of the emission of the at least two light-emitting layers and may also comprise white light.

The OLEDs can be used in all apparatus in which electroluminescence is useful. Suitable de vices are preferably selected from stationary and mobile visual display units and illumination units. Stationary visual display units are, for example, visual display units of computers, televi sions, visual display units in printers, kitchen appliances and advertising panels, illuminations and information panels. Mobile visual display units are, for example, visual display units in cell phones, tablet PCs, laptops, digital cameras, MP3 players, vehicles and destination displays on buses and trains. Further devices in which the inventive OLEDs can be used are, for example, keyboards; items of clothing; furniture; wallpaper. In addition, the present invention relates to a device selected from the group consisting of stationary visual display units such as visual dis play units of computers, televisions, visual display units in printers, kitchen appliances and ad vertising panels, illuminations, information panels, and mobile visual display units such as visual display units in cellphones, tablet PCs, laptops, digital cameras, MP3 players, vehicles and des tination displays on buses and trains; illumination units; keyboards; items of clothing; furniture; wallpaper, comprising at least one inventive organic light-emitting diode or at least one inventive light-emitting layer.

The following examples are included for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the claims. Unless otherwise stated, all parts and percentages are by weight.

The following examples are included for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the claims. Unless otherwise stated, all parts and percentages are by weight.

Examples

Compounds synthesized

Synthesis Example 1

To a 100 mL round-bottom-flask were added 2-aminopyridine (10.4 g, 1 10.53 mmol), 2- bromoacetophenone (20.0 g, 100.48 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (13.17 g, 156.75 mmol) in EtOH (80 mL). The reaction was allowed to stir at room temperature under argon for 20 h. The solids were filtered off, and the resulting filtrate solution was evaporated. The crude was dis solved in DCM and washed with water (30 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with DCM (2 x 100 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (Na ₂ S0 ₄ ), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting solid was recrystallized from /PrOH to give 14 g (72%) white powder. The molecular mass of the product was confirmed by LC-MS [M-H] 194.9.

To a 100 mL round-bottom-flask was added 2-phenylimidazo[1 ,2-a]pyridine (5 g, 25.74 mmol) and acetonitrile (26 mL). The suspension was cooled to 0 °C. N BS (4.81 g, 27.03 mmol) was added portionwise over 10 min. The orange reaction was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction was concentrated in vacuo, then the residue was dissolved in EtOAc (40 mL) and washed with 1 M NaOH (30 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (2 x 40 mL), and the combined organic layers were dried (Na2S0 ₄ ), filtered and concentrated to give a black solid. The solid was further purified by filtration over a silica plug, rinsing with EtOAc/heptanes/DCM. After concentration in vacuo, 5.6 g (80%) of brown solid were obtained. The molecular mass of the product was confirmed by LC-MS [M-H] 275.0.

To a 100 mL 3-necked round-bottom-flask were added 3-bromo-2-phenylimidazo[1 ,2-a]pyridin (3.28 g, 12.0 mmol), 2-chloro-4-fluorophenylboronic acid (2.72 g, 15.6 mmol), sodium carbonate (2.54 g, 24.0 mmol), Pd(PPh ₃ ) ₄ (0.416 g, 0.36 mmol), dioxane (24 mL) and water (12 mL). The reaction was fitted with a reflux condenser and purged with Ar for 5 min. The reaction was gen tly refluxed for 17 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction was filtered over a pad of silica/celite, rinsing with EtOAc. The filtrate was transferred to a 250 mL separation funnel where it was washed with water (40 mL). The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2 x 30 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (Na ₂ S0 ₄ ), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified via flash chroma tography (EtOAc/heptanes) to give 3.39 g (87%) of a yellow solid. The molecular mass of the product was confirmed by LC-MS [M-H] 323.1.

To a dried Schlenk flask was added 3-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-2-phenylimidazo[1 ,2-a]pyridine (3 g, 9.29 mmol), K ₂ CO ₃ (1 .93 g, 13.94 mmol), Xphos (0.266 g, 0.56 mmol) and Pd(OAc) ₂ (0.063 g, 0.29 mmol). The reaction was evacuated and backfilled with Ar (x3), then degassed DMF (40 ml) was added. The reaction was heated to 150 °C for 15 h. The reaction was cooled down, then filtered over a pad of silica and celite, rinsing with EtOAc. The filtrate was concen trated, then diluted with DCM (30 ml.) and transferred to a 250 ml. separation funnel. The or ganic layer was washed with water (25 ml_). The layers were separated and the aq layer was further extracted with DCM (2 x 20 ml_). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (Na ₂ S0 ₄ ), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified via flash chroma tography (EtOAc/heptanes) to give 1.72 g (60%) of a yellow solid. The molecular mass of the product was confirmed by LC-MS [M-H] 287.2.

To a dried 100 ml. 3-necked round-bottom-flask was added 7-fluoro-1- phenylbenzo[a]imidazo[5,1 ,2-cd]indolizine (1.6 g, 5.59 mmol), 9-phenyl-9H,9'H-3,3'-bicarbazole (2.51 g, 6.5 mmol), K3PO4 (2.97 g, 14.0 mmol) and NMP (27 ml.) under Ar. The reaction was heated at 160 °C for 22 h. The reaction was allowed to cool down to room temperature and fil tered, rinsing with EtOH and H2O. The yellow solid was purified via flash chromatography (PhMe/heptanes) to give 3.37 g (89%) yellow solid. The molecular mass of the product was confirmed by LC-MS [M+H] 675.5.

Application Examples

Application Example 1

A glass substrate with 120 nm-thick indium-tin-oxide (ITO) transparent electrode (manufactured by Geomatec Co., Ltd.) used as an anode is first cleaned with isopropanol in an ultrasonic bath for 10 min. To eliminate any possible organic residues, the substrate is exposed to an ultraviolet light and ozone for further 30 min. This treatment also improves the hole injection properties of the ITO. The cleaned substrate is mounted on a substrate holder and loaded into a vacuum chamber. Thereafter, the organic materials specified below are applied by vapor deposition to the ITO substrate at a rate of approx. 0.2-1 A/sec at about 10 ⁶ -10 ⁸ mbar. As the first layer, 5 nm-thick of electron accepting Compound A is vapor-deposited. Then 210 nm-thick of aromatic amine Compound B is applied as a hole transporting layer. Then, a mixture of 2% by weight of an emitter compound (compound C), 98% by weight of a host (Compound 1 ) are applied to form a 40 nm-thick phosphorescent-emitting layer. On the emitting layer, a mixture of 50% by weight of an electron transporting compound (Compound D), 50% by weight of Liq (8-hydroxyquinolate lithium) is applied to form a 30 nm-thick as an electron transport layer. Finally, 1 nm-thick LiF is deposited as an electron injection layer and 80 nm-thick Al is then deposited as a cathode to complete the device. The device is sealed with a glass lid and a getter in an inert nitrogen at mosphere with less than 1 ppm of water and oxygen.

Compound C Compound D

Compound 1 Comparative Application Example 2

Application Example 2 is repeated except that the host (compound 1 ) is replaced by a compara tive compound (Comparative 1 ). The device results are shown in Table 1.

Comparative 1

OLED characterization

To characterize the OLED, electroluminescence spectra were recorded at various currents and voltages. In addition, the current-voltage characteristic was measured in combination with the luminance to determine luminous efficiency and external quantum efficiency (EQE). Driving voltage U , EQE and Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage (CIE) coordinate are given at 10mA/cm ² except otherwise stated.

Table 1

The CIE values from table 1 show that the electroluminescence is originated from the red emitter compound (Compound C). The compound 1 shows a lower driving voltage and a higher EQE than the comparative compound (Comparative 1).

Application Example 3

A glass substrate with 130 nm-thick indium-tin-oxide (ITO) transparent electrode (manufactured by Geomatec Co., Ltd.) used as an anode is first cleaned with isopropanol in an ultrasonic bath for 10 min. To eliminate any possible organic residues, the substrate is exposed to an ultraviolet light and ozone for further 30 min. This treatment also improves the hole injection properties of the ITO. The cleaned substrate is mounted on a substrate holder and loaded into a vacuum chamber. Thereafter, the organic materials specified below are applied by vapor deposition to the ITO substrate at a rate of approx. 0.2-1 A/sec at about 10 ⁶ -10 ⁸ mbar. As a hole injection layer, 5 nm-thick of compound E is applied. Then 80 nm-thick of compound B and 10 nm-thick of compound F are applied as a first and a second hole transporting layers, respectively. Sub- sequently, a mixture of 4% by weight of an emitter compound H and 96% by weight of a host (compound G) are applied to form a 25 nm-thick of fluorescent-emitting layer. On the emitting layer, a mixture of 50% by weight of Liq and 50% by weight of compound 1 are applied to form a 25 nm-thick electron transport layer (ET). Finally, 1 nm-thick Liq is deposited as electron injec- tion layer and 80 nm-thick Al is deposited as a cathode to complete the device. The device is sealed with a glass lid and a getter in an inert nitrogen atmosphere with less than 1 ppm of wa ter and oxygen.

Compound G Compound H Comparative Application Example 4

Application Example 4 is repeated as above except that the ET (compound 1 ) is replaced by a comparative compound (Comparative 2). The device results are shown in Table 2.

Comparative 2 OLED Characterization

To characterize the OLED, electroluminescence spectra were recorded at various currents and voltages. In addition, the current-voltage characteristic was measured in combination with the luminance to determine luminous efficiency and external quantum efficiency (EQE). Driving voltage U , EQE and Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage (CIE) coordinate are given at 10mA/cm ² except otherwise stated.

Table 2

The results shown in table 2 demonstrate that the driving voltage and EQE are improved when com- pound 1 is used as electron transport material (ET) instead of the reference compound (Comparative 2).

Comparative Application Example 5

Fabrication of an organic EL device was carried out in the same manner as in example 3 except for using the following comparative compound 2 as an electron transporting material. However, the device comprising comparative compound 2 could not be fabricated due to the unstable vapor deposition properties of comparative compound 2.

Comparative compound 2