Thermal generation of pentacene from soluble precursors through expulsion of carbon dioxide

Highly soluble pentacene precursors possessing ketal bridges across the rings were synthesized. Pure pentacene was produced through thermal dissociation, while carbon dioxide and ethylene were extruded as volatile fragments. Thin solid film of pentacene can be prepared from these precursors by spin-coating method, followed by heating. Typical OTFT characteristics were observed from the devices prepared thereof. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.