Heptagon-embedded pentacene: synthesis, structures, and thin-film transistors of dibenzo[d,d']benzo[1,2-a:4,5-a']dicycloheptenes.

This study presents a new class of conjugated polycyclic molecules that contain seven-membered rings, detailing their synthesis, crystal structures and semiconductor properties. These molecules have a nearly flat C6-C7-C6-C7-C6 polycyclic framework with a p-quinodimethane core. With field-effect mobilities of up to 0.76 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) as measured from solution-processed thin-film transistors, these molecules are alternatives to the well-studied pentacene analogues for applications in organic electronic devices.