Synthesis of new bis[1-(thiophenyl)propynones] as potential organic dyes for colorless luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs)

New luminophores having different aryl nuclei and propynones moieties have been obtained via Sonogashira reactions. Their optical properties were evaluated and indicated that carbonyl groups are responsible for significant bathochromic effects and high Stokes shifts. The insertion of -OMe groups on the central benzene unit gives to the fluorophore high optical efficiency (7.7%) when homogeneously dispersed in a poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) (PCMA) film and connected to a PV cell.