Tetracene

Tetracene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in the acene family, consisting of four linearly fused benzene rings. Its chemical formula is C18H12. The molecule is largely planar and features an extended π-conjugated system, which gives it strong absorption in the visible region and fluorescent properties that have made it a useful model compound in studies of organic electronics and photophysics.

Structure and properties: The linear arrangement of rings creates an elongated, highly conjugated structure. Tetracene is more reactive toward photooxidation than some smaller PAHs and is typically handled under inert atmosphere or in the dark to prevent degradation. In solid form, crystallinity and molecular packing strongly influence its optical and electronic behavior, affecting absorption, emission, and charge transport characteristics.

Production and applications: Tetracene is synthesized through multi-step methods common to acenes, including coupling and cyclization strategies followed by selective dehydrogenation. It is used primarily in research on organic semiconductors and is a common test material for studying charge transport in organic field-effect transistors and thin-film devices. It also serves as a fluorophore in spectroscopic studies and as a reference compound for exploring exciton diffusion and packing effects in crystalline PAHs.

Safety and handling: As with many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, tetracene can be a skin and inhalation hazard and may be photosensitive and prone to oxidation. It is typically handled in a fume hood, with gloves and eye protection, and stored under inert gas or in the dark to preserve integrity.