Molecular Wires from Contorted Aromatic Compounds

(Figure Presented) In a twist: A design strategy for molecule-based electronic materials using aromatic compounds with a nonplanar core is presented. A new class of hexabenzocoronene is put forth that has its core severely distorted out of planarity into a corrugated structure. When substituted with four alkoxy side chains, this material self-assembles into infinitely long columns through stacking (see picture) and acts as an active layer in field-effect transistors. © 2005 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.