Photogeneration of Heptacene in a Polymer Matrix

Abstract
Heptacene (1) was generated by the photodecarbonylation of 7,16-dihydro-7,16-ethanoheptacene-19,20-dione (2) in a polymer matrix using a UV-LED lamp (395 ± 25 nm). Compound 1 showed a long wavelength absorption band extending from 600 to 825 nm (λmax ∼ 760 nm) and was found to be stable up to 4 h in the polymer matrix. However, irradiation of a solution of 2 in toluene produced only oxygen adducts.