Manifold-Fused Porphyrin-Nanographene Conjugates

A library of novel π-extended porphyrin-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) architectures is presented. Two distinct synthetic pathways were utilized to obtain either phenyl- or HBC-fused compounds. Absorption experiments reveal the species' exciting photophysical and optoelectronic properties. Depending on the degree of π-extension, the number of porphyrins, and their relative position, a decisive change in shape, panchromatic broadening, and red-shifting of the absorption curves is observed. Theoretical studies give more profound insight into the molecule's electronic structures, showing vast decreases in HOMO-LUMO energy gaps.