A soluble pentacene: synthesis, EPR and electrochemical studies of 2,3,9,10-tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)pentacene

A soluble 2,3,9,10-tetrakis( trimethylsilyl) pentacene (1) was synthesized; the discovery of the radical cationic character of 1 in solution through EPR measurement has provided insights into the sensitivity of acenes towards light and oxygen.