Abstract: A series of derivatives of symmetrircal bi-oxadiazoles containing azobenzene was synthesized. Their molecular structures were determined by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopies. The effect of azobenzene on the photoluminescence of oxadiazole derivatives was carefully studied by fluorescence spectra. The emission peaks of F3, F6 and F10 are bimodal, at 348, 356 nm and 345, 357 nm and 345, 357 nm, respectively, attributed to the oxadiazole groups of bi-oxadiazoles. The introduction of azobenzene has less impact on the emission maximum peak of oxadiazole derivatives Fn in solution, but the luminous intensity of oxadiazole derivatives Fn decreases. This is mainly because of the intramolecular electronic energy transfer between the azobenzene groups and the oxadiazole groups in the process of photoexcitation.

Key words: azobenzene, oxadiazole, synthesis, photoluminescence