Pressure-induced phase transition in pentacene

We have recently studied two solid phases of bulk pentacene (polymorphs H and C) by means of lattice phonon Raman spectroscopy. The assignment, previously based on lattice dynamics calculations alone, is now verified by X-ray diffraction measurements, conclusively confirming the existence of both polymorphs. Furthermore, Raman phonon spectra indicate a pressure-induced phase transition where the polymorph C (lower density phase) transforms to the H form (higher density phase). The onset pressure for the phase transition is only 0.2 GPa. The phase change is irreversible.