A novel D2-A-D1-A-D2-type donor-acceptor conjugated small molecule (DTPA-Q-BDT-Q-DTPA) with a benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']clithiophene (BDT) core and two D2-A arms has been synthesized and employed as electron donor for organic solar cells. Solution-processed organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices were fabricated with a configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/DTPA-Q-BDT-Q-DTPA:[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM)/LiF/Al. A power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.22% with an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.64 V, a short-circuit current (AO of 6.10 mA cm(-2), and a fill factor (FF) of 31.0% was achieved. The PCE is 2.9 times higher than that in the other devices using D2-A-type small molecule TPA-Q-TPA as donor. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.