On the way to polyacene: synthesis and properties of higher acenes

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Holger Bettinger
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2011 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 201252049

Acenes, extended pi systems composed of linearly annulated benzene rings, are an important class of organic materials. The members of the acene series beyond hexacene are highly reactive and hence were difficult to study or are even unknown. The major focus of the research project is the photochemical generation of unknown higher acenes under the conditions of matrix isolation and their characterization by spectroscopic techniques. The research is expected to answer fundamental questions concerning the electronic ground state and the poly radical character of the higher acenes. The investigation of thermal and photochemical reactions of the unstable acenes under cryogenic and ambient conditions provides an insight into the chemical properties of these highly reactive pi systems.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants