Quinomethane compounds

A quinomethane compound for a backlighting unit comprising a cathode and an anode, having the quinomethane compound layered therebetween, the quinomethane compound comprising:

• a structure represented by the general formula (1):
• 18
• wherein R1 to R4 and R9 to R12 are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an optionally substituted cyclic alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
• R5 and R6 are the same or different and each represents an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group;
• R7 and R8 each represents a hydrogen atom;
• and each of the optional substituents is a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group, and
• wherein, upon application of a voltage, the quinomethane compound electroluminesces to provide electroluminescent backlighting.

A quinomethane compound for an electroluminescent wire having a photosensitive coating on the wire, wherein said photosensitive coating comprises the quinomethane compound, the quinomethane compound comprising:

• a structure represented by the general formula (1):
• 19
• wherein R1 to R4 and R9 to R12 are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an optionally substituted cyclic alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
• R5 and R6 are the same or different and each represents an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group;
• R7 and R8 each represents a hydrogen atom;
• and each of the optional substituents is a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group, and
• wherein, when a voltage is applied across the wire, the quinomethane compound electroluminesces.

A quinomethane compound for an electroluminescent display device of a type which comprises a matrix electrode structure comprising a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of data electrodes and an organic layer having a luminescent region and located between the scanning electrodes and the data electrodes, wherein the organic layer comprises the quinomethane compound, the quinomethane compound comprising:

• a structure represented by the general formula (1):
• 20
• wherein R1 to R4 and R9 to R12 are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an optionally substituted cyclic alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
• R5 and R6 are the same or different and each represents an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group;
• R7 and R8 each represents a hydrogen atom;
• and each of the optional substituents is a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group, and
• wherein, when voltage is applied sequentially across the scanning and data electrodes in a predetermined fashion, preselected portions of the organic layer electroluminesce to form a display.