Photooxidation and reproduction of pentacene derivatives substituted by aromatic groups

Pentacene derivatives substituted by aromatic groups at the 6,13-positions were prepared and investigated for their electronic properties and the photoaddition reaction with oxygen. The pentacene derivatives substituted by 2-thienyl and phenyl groups reacted with oxygen in solution under light and afforded their endoperoxides. These first-order kinetic constants were evaluated to be 1.5×10−3 s−1 and 2.7×10−3 s−1. The pentacene derivative with pentafluorophenyl groups was relatively stable in solution. The thermolysis and photolysis of the endoperoxide with 2-thienyl groups in solution afforded the pentacene derivative with yields of 30 and 44%, respectively. In addition, UV irradiation (254 nm) of the thin film of the endoperoxide was studied, which indicated the reproduction of the pentacene derivative.