Efficient synthesis and conformational investigations of \u3ci\u3ecis\u3c/i\u3e-pentacenediols

Diisobutylaluminum hydride is utilized to reduce pentacene-6,13-diones to the corresponding diols, useful precursors to functionalized pentacenes. This pathway is mild and efficient, and produces the cis-diols as major products. Further, we found the cis-diols adopt endo conformation, which cannot flip to the exo conformation under ambient conditions. Due to the cis and endo orientation, the cis-diols can be potential bidentates in catalysis, molecular propellers, and optoelectronic devices