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Published on: March 4, 2021
On-surface synthesis of cyclo[20]carbon and cyclo[30]carbon from cyclo[10]carbon
Yuan Guo1, Yuzhe Yun1, Wenzhi Xiang1
1Interdisciplinary Materials Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804, People's Republic of China.
Researchers synthesized larger cyclocarbons, like C20 and C30, by coupling and ring-opening smaller C10 cyclocarbons. This new method overcomes precursor challenges for creating larger carbon rings and may enable controlled polymerization.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- On-surface synthesis has produced cyclo[n]carbons (Cn) up to C26 using designed precursors.
- Synthesizing precursors for larger cyclocarbons remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new strategy for synthesizing larger cyclocarbons.
- To overcome limitations in precursor synthesis for extended carbon rings.
Main Methods:
- Utilized C10 cyclocarbons as precursors.
- Employed scanning tunneling microscope tip manipulation to induce coupling and ring-opening reactions.
- Characterized the synthesized molecules using bond-resolved atomic force microscopy.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized C20 and C30 cyclocarbons from C10 precursors.
- Unambiguously confirmed the polyynic structure of C30, consistent with theoretical predictions.
- Demonstrated a novel pathway for accessing larger cyclocarbons.
Conclusions:
- Established a new synthetic route for larger cyclocarbons via coupling and ring-opening of smaller ones.
- This approach offers a potential method for the controlled polymerization of cyclocarbons.
- Overcomes challenges associated with precursor synthesis for large cyclo[n]carbons.
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