Spin‐Distribution‐Directed Regioselective Substitution Strategy for Highly Stable Olympicenyl Radicals

Abstract

The synthesis of bench‐stable conjugated π‐radicals is challenging owing to the lack of modular approaches, which greatly hampers their practical material screens and applications. Here, we demonstrate a spin‐distribution‐directed regioselective substitution strategy to introduce substituents into the specific positions of an olympicenyl radical in a stepwise manner, resulting in a series of highly stable radical species. The substituents can also adjust the crystal packing by means of steric and electronic factors, enabling the changing from a π‐dimer to a pseudo‐one‐dimensional chain. The first single crystal organic field‐effect transistor device based on a graphenic radical is fabricated in air, showing a hole mobility of up to 0.021 cm2 V‒1 s‒1 and excellent device stability. This approach may be generalized to diverse spin‐delocalized open‐shell organic radicals.