Acene

The general structural formula for acenes

In organic chemistry, the acenes or polyacenes are a class of organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons made up of benzene (C6H6) rings which have been linearly fused.[1][2] They follow the general molecular formula C4n+2H2n+4.

The larger representatives have potential interest in optoelectronic applications and are actively researched in chemistry and electrical engineering. Pentacene has been incorporated into organic field-effect transistors, reaching charge carrier mobilities as high as 5 cm2/Vs.

The first 5 unsubstituted members are listed in the following table:

Name Number of rings Molecular formula Structural formula
Anthracene 3 C14H10
Tetracene 4 C18H12
Pentacene 5 C22H14
Hexacene 6 C26H16
Heptacene 7 C30H18

Hexacene is not stable in air, and dimerises upon isolation. Heptacene (and larger acenes) is very reactive and has only been isolated in a matrix. However, bis(trialkylsilylethynylated) versions of heptacene have been isolated as crystalline solids.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference GoldBook was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bettinger was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference anthony was invoked but never defined (see the help page).