Anthraceno-Perylene Bisimides: The Precursor of a New Acene

A controlled synthesis strategy for a anthracene-fused perylene bisimide was developed from the cyclization of an anthracene unit pendant to a perylene diimide scaffold. The direct cyclization led to a zigzag molecule, while a Diels-Alder strategy influenced the reglochemistry of cyclization to afford the linear precursor of a new acene.