anthracenebased

Anthracene-based describes compounds in which an anthracene unit forms the core or a major functional fragment. Anthracene is a tricyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon consisting of three linearly fused benzene rings, with chemical formula C14H10.

The anthracene core is highly conjugated and flat, conferring strong fluorescence and a tendency to participate in photochemical reactions at the 9,10-positions. Derivatization at various positions allows tuning of optical, electronic, and solubility properties.

Common methods of functionalization include electrophilic aromatic substitution and cross-coupling reactions to attach aryl, alkynyl, or alkyl groups; oxidation to anthraquinones; and controlled Diels-Alder reactions at the 9,10-positions, enabling reversible photodimerization for photoswitchable materials.

Applications span organic electronics and photonics, including organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic photovoltaics, fluorescent probes, and photoinitiators for polymers. Anthracene-based dyes and fluorophores, such as 9,10-diphenylanthracene, are valued for blue emission and high quantum yields. Anthracene-based ligands are also used in coordination chemistry.

Safety: like other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, anthracene and related derivatives can pose health and environmental risks; handle with appropriate personal protective equipment and in accordance with safety data sheets.

See also: anthracene; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; anthracene derivatives; Diels-Alder reaction; organic electronics.