Tuning the Solid‐State Optical Properties of Tetracene Derivatives by Modification of the Alkyl Side‐Chains: Crystallochromy and the Highest Fluorescence Quantum Yield in Acenes Larger than Anthracene

In the solution state, there were no notable differences between the optical properties of a range of alkyl‐substituted tetracenes. However, in the solid state, their photophysical properties changed with respect to the length, shape, number, and substitution pattern of the alkyl side chains, as well as the distribution of two regioisomers. Remarkably, in the solid state, 1,4,7,10‐tetraisopropyltetracene exhibited the highest reported fluorescence quantum yield of any tetracene derivative (0.90). The changes in the optical characteristics of these tetracenes according to the arrangement of the tetracene rings and the color‐change mechanism in the solid state are discussed. Moreover, the world record in solid‐state fluorescence efficiency in acenes larger than anthracene is described. DOI 10.1002/tcr.201200003