Pt. Herwig et K. Mullen, A soluble pentacene precursor: Synthesis, solid-state conversion into pentacene and application in a field-effect transistor, ADVAN MATER, 11(6), 1999, pp. 480
[n]Acenes are an interesting group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: The
lower [n]acenes are insulators, higher[n]acenes exhibit semiconducting pro
perties, and poly[n]acene is calculated to be a metallic conductor. Pentace
ne films have been shown to exhibit charge carrier mobilities comparable to
that of a-Si. Efficient processing is, however, a requirement for applicat
ions. Here, a new synthetic route to a soluble pentacene precursor is prese
nted that could also be used for higher [n]acenes. The precursor can be con
verted to pentacene after processing, and the materials exhibit a high char
ge-carrier mobility.