perylene34dicarboxylic

Perylene-3,4-dicarboxylic acid is an aromatic dicarboxylic acid derived from the polycyclic hydrocarbon perylene. It features the rigid, planar perylene core with carboxyl groups attached at the 3 and 4 positions, giving a symmetrical, conjugated molecule.

Its chemical formula is C22H12O4, with a molecular weight of about 340.3 g/mol. The compound is a solid at room temperature and is poorly soluble in water but dissolves in several organic solvents such as chlorinated solvents, dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. The carboxyl groups enable further chemical modification, including conversion to imides, anhydrides, or other derivatives.

Synthesis and availability: Perylene-3,4-dicarboxylic acid is produced synthetically and is available from chemical suppliers. Common preparation routes involve oxidation of perylene or related derivatives to install the two carboxyl functionalities at the 3 and 4 positions. As a key intermediate, it is used to make a variety of more complex materials.

Applications and significance: The compound is most important as a precursor to perylene diimide (PDI) dyes and related materials. Imidization of the diacid with primary amines yields PDIs, which are highly regarded in organic electronics and optoelectronics for their strong fluorescence, thermal stability, and favorable electron-transport properties. PDCA and its derivatives find use in organic light-emitting devices, solar cells, and as fluorescent probes in various applications.