A dinaphtho[8,1,2-cde:2′,1′,8′-uva]pentacene derivative and analogues: synthesis, structures, photophysical and electrochemical properties

Dinaphtho[8,1,2-cde: 2',1',8'-uva]pentacene and analogues as a new type of acene derivatives with scorpion-shaped structures were conveniently synthesized. Their structures, photophysical and electrochemical properties were experimentally and theoretically investigated. It was found that the pentacene derivative has a twisted configuration, but shows marked intermolecular p-p interactions, strong electronic delocalization, and a small HOMO-LUMO bandgap, which are different from those of pentacene and pentatwistacene derivatives with similar structures.