Polyacene-based organic semiconductors: Syntheses, characterizations and applications in organic electronic devices

Since the discovery of high conductivities in organic conductors in the early 1970's, many efforts have been dedicated to develop high performance yet stable materials for electronic applications operating under ambient conditions. Additionally, the urge for solution processable materials for low-cost fabrication techniques such as inkjet and roll-to-roll printing has fueled a wide exploration of pi-conjugated organic structures to investigate their potential applications in consumable electronic devices. Linear oligoacenes are among some of the most widely studied aromatic hydrocarbons for this type of application. Although the interest in obtaining longer polyacenes dates back to late 1930s, there are still continuing efforts pursing these elusive and intriguing oligomers. This thesis will present some recent investigations on the designed syntheses, characterizations and applications of several polyacene-based organic semiconductors including functionalized heptacenes and anthracenes, poly(acene)-quinones and triazole-containing benzologs. The relationship between structural modifications and physical properties will be the main focus throughout this thesis.