Although pentacenes are a current choice in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), their insolubility and oxidative instability has been a practical problem. Suitably substituted pentacenes (1-3) were synthesized and studied and were found to be highly soluble in organic solvents and oxidatively stable. The methoxy group causes a red shift in the absorption of 1-3 compared to that of pentacene. The absorption of 1 ( - 674 nm), 2 ( - 686 nm), and 3 ( - 704 nm) indicate that functionalization by the ethyne group further red shifts the absorption. The extensive measurement of photophysical and electrochemical properties of 1-3 and their testing in devices is underway.

1. R = t-Bu

2. R = Si(i-Pr)₃

3. R = Ph