Tetracene

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For the initiating explosive, see tetrazene.

Tetracene
Other names	Naphthacene
Identifiers
CAS number	[92-24-0]
SMILES	c34cc2cc1ccccc1cc2cc3cccc4
Properties
Molecular formula	C18H12
Molar mass	228.29 g/mol
Appearance	Pale yellow solid
Melting point	357 °C
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Tetracene, also called naphthacene, benz[b]anthracene and 2,3-benzanthracene, is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. It has the appearance of a pale orange powder.

Tetracene is used as a sensitiser in chemoluminescence.

It is a molecular organic semiconductor, used in OFETs and OLEDs. In May 2007, researchers from two Japanese universities, Tohoku University in Sendai, and Osaka University, have reported an ambipolar light-emitting transistor made of a tetracene single crystal [1]. Ambipolar means that the electric charge is transported by both, positively charged molecular cations and negatively charged molecular anions. Tetracene can be also used as a gain medium in dye lasers. Jan Hendrik Schön during his time at Bell Labs (1997-2002) claimed to have developed an electrically pumped laser based on tetracene. However his results could not be reproduced and it is considered scientific fraud.

Tetracene is the four ringed member of the series of acenes, the previous one being anthracene (tricene) and the next one being pentacene.

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