Molecules 2012, 17(4), 4625-4633; doi:10.3390/molecules17044625
Article

An Improved Synthesis of Pentacene: Rapid Access to a Benchmark Organic Semiconductor

Chandrani Pramanik and Glen P. Miller* email
Department of Chemistry & Materials Science Program, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 20 March 2012; in revised form: 6 April 2012 / Accepted: 6 April 2012 / Published: 20 April 2012
(This article belongs to the Section Organic Synthesis)
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Abstract: Pentacene is an organic semiconductor used in a variety of thin-film organic electronic devices. Although at least six separate syntheses of pentacene are known (two from dihydropentacenes, two from 6,13-pentacenedione and two from 6,13-dihydro-6,13-dihydroxypentacene), none is ideal and several utilize elevated temperatures that may facilitate the oxidation of pentacene as it is produced. Here, we present a fast (~2 min of reaction time), simple, high-yielding (≥90%), low temperature synthesis of pentacene from readily available 6,13-dihydro-6,13-dihydroxypentacene. Further, we discuss the mechanism of this highly efficient reaction. With this improved synthesis, researchers gain rapid, affordable access to high purity pentacene in excellent yield and without the need for a time consuming sublimation.
Keywords: pentacene; acene; semiconductor; organic semiconductor; thin-film; organic electronic

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Cite This Article

MDPI and ACS Style

Pramanik, C.; Miller, G.P. An Improved Synthesis of Pentacene: Rapid Access to a Benchmark Organic Semiconductor. Molecules 2012, 17, 4625-4633.

AMA Style

Pramanik C, Miller GP. An Improved Synthesis of Pentacene: Rapid Access to a Benchmark Organic Semiconductor. Molecules. 2012; 17(4):4625-4633.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pramanik, Chandrani; Miller, Glen P. 2012. "An Improved Synthesis of Pentacene: Rapid Access to a Benchmark Organic Semiconductor." Molecules 17, no. 4: 4625-4633.

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