Electron Acceptors Based on Cyclopentannulated Tetracenes

Abstract

New cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CP-PAHs) based on tetracene have been prepared by a palladium-catalyzed cyclopentannulation reaction. The new compounds have low-energy lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) and relatively small band gaps. The photooxidative stability was intermediate to previously prepared CP-PAHs based on anthracene and pentacene as found in traditional acene stabilities. Scholl cyclodehydrogenation of pendant aryl groups led to materials that quickly formed endoperoxide products.