Provided is a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound that can be used as a precursor for synthesizing a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound having relatively high solubility. Also provided is a method for synthesizing and using such a novel condensed polycyclic aromatic compound. The condensed polycyclic aromatic compound is represented by formula (II): (II) (where X1 and X2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alkyl group, and the like, but at least one of X1 and X2 is a halogen atom; B is a condensed ring having at least one benzene ring moiety; each Y is independently selected from chalcogens; and A1 through A4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, alkyl groups, and the like and two adjacent atoms or groups can bond together to form an aromatic group).