Nonplanar Nanographene with a Large Conjugated π-Surface

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Conjugated π-surfaces are essential in molecules and materials.
• Constructing large, atomically precise π-surfaces is challenging due to aggregation from π-π interactions.
• Aggregation complicates purification and spectroscopic analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a nonplanar nanographene with a large, precise, and nonstacked π-surface.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional π-surfaces, enabling thorough characterization.
• To establish a clear structure-property relationship for such systems.

Main Methods:

• Design and synthesis of a novel nonplanar nanographene (1).
• Full characterization including single-crystal X-ray diffraction for structural confirmation.
• Spectroscopic and electronic measurements to investigate properties.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of nanographene 1 with 85 fused rings and a 3 nm π-surface.
• Unambiguous structural confirmation via X-ray diffraction.
• Demonstration of unusual electronic structures, record near-infrared absorption, magnetic shielding, and strong van der Waals complexations.

Conclusions:

• The nonplanar nanographene 1 provides a large, precise, and nonstacked π-surface, overcoming aggregation issues.
• Established a clear structure-property relationship, previously elusive.
• Results have broad implications for understanding phenomena related to discrete and interacting π-surfaces.