Thin film organic transistors from air-stable heteroarenes:: Anthra[1,2-b:4,3-b′:5,6-b:8,7-b′]tetrathiophene derivatives

A facile synthesis of air-stable anthra[1,2-b:4,3-b':5,6-b '':8,7-e''']tetrathiophene derivatives la and 1b has been developed for applications in organic thin film transistors. Both molecules tend to self-associate through pi-pi stacking in solution and in different films. The hole mobility of 0.012 cm(2) V-1 S-1 is obtained from la due to morphology changes in films from less ordered to highly ordered structures after thermal annealing. Good performance remained persistent over a period of 14 days, indicating the high stability of such transistors.