Double Homologation Method for Substituted Soluble Pentacenes and Dimerization Behaviours of Pentacenes

A double homologation method for the formation of substituted soluble pentacenes was developed by a zirconium-mediated cyclization of tetrayne derivatives. Thermal dimerization of tetra- and octasubstituted pentacenes was observed. The dimerization behavior was observed to be strongly related to the substituent groups affixed to the pentacenes.