We show that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) chromophores that are linked between two five-membered rings can access planarized structures with reduced optical gaps and redox potentials. Two aceanthrylene chromophores were connected into dimer model systems with the chromophores either projected outward (2,2’-biaceanthrylene) or inward (1,1’-biaceanthrylene) and the optical and electronic properties were compared. Only the planar 2,2’-biaceanthrylene system showed significant reductions of the optical gaps (1 eV) and redox potentials in relation to the aceanthrylene monomer.<br>
