Tetracene

For the initiating explosive, see tetrazene.

Tetracene

Space-filling model of the tetracene molecule
Tetracene crystals
Names
IUPAC name Tetracene
Other names Naphthacene Benz[b]anthracene 2,3-Benzanthracene
Identifiers
CAS Number	92-24-0 N
ChEBI	CHEBI:32600 Y
ChemSpider	6813 Y
Jmol 3D model	Interactive image
PubChem	7080
InChI InChI=1S/C18H12/c1-2-6-14-10-18-12-16-8-4-3-7-15(16)11-17(18)9-13(14)5-1/h1-12H Y Key: IFLREYGFSNHWGE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
SMILES c34cc2cc1ccccc1cc2cc3cccc4
Properties
Chemical formula	C18H12
Molar mass	228.29 g/mol
Appearance	Yellow to orange solid
Melting point	357 °C (675 °F; 630 K)
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Vapor pressure	{{{value}}}
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Y verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Tetracene, also called naphthacene, is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. It has the appearance of a pale orange powder. Tetracene is the four-ringed member of the series of acenes, the previous one being anthracene (tricene) and the next one being pentacene.

Tetracene is a molecular organic semiconductor, used in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). In May 2007, researchers from two Japanese universities, Tohoku University in Sendai and Osaka University, reported an ambipolar light-emitting transistor made of a single tetracene crystal. Ambipolar means that the electric charge is transported by both positively charged holes and negatively charged electrons. Tetracene can be also used as a gain medium in dye lasers as a sensitiser in chemoluminescence.

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 this is considered to be a scientific fraud.

In February 2014, NASA announced a greatly upgraded database for tracking polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including Tetracene, in the universe. According to scientists, more than 20% of the carbon in the universe may be associated with PAHs, possible starting materials for the formation of life. PAHs seem to have been formed shortly after the Big Bang, are widespread throughout the universe, and are associated with new stars and exoplanets.