1. A Geometrically Flexible Three-Dimensional Nanocarbon
- Author
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Tang, Chun, Han, Han, Zhang, Ruihua, de Moraes, Lygia S., Qi, Yue, Wu, Guangcheng, Jones, Christopher G., Rodriguez, Isabel Hernandez, Jiao, Yang, Liu, Wenqi, Li, Xuesong, Chen, Hongliang, Bancroft, Laura, Zhao, Xingang, Stern, Charlotte L., Guo, Qing-Hui, Krzyaniak, Matthew D., Wasielewski, Michael R., Nelson, Hosea M., Li, Penghao, and Stoddart, J. Fraser
- Abstract
The development of architecturally unique molecular nanocarbons by bottom-up organic synthesis is essential for accessing functional organic materials awaiting technological developments in fields such as energy, electronics, and biomedicine. Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of a triptycene-based three-dimensional (3D) nanocarbon, GFN-1, with geometrical flexibility on account of its three peripheral π-panels being capable of interconverting between two curved conformations. An effective through-space electronic communication among the three π-panels of GFN-1has been observed in its monocationic radical form, which exhibits an extensively delocalized spin density over the entire 3D π-system as revealed by electron paramagnetic resonance and UV–vis–NIR spectroscopies. The flexible 3D molecular architecture of GFN-1, along with its densely packed superstructures in the presence of fullerenes, is revealed by microcrystal electron diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which establish the coexistence of both propeller and tweezer conformations in the solid state. GFN-1exhibits strong binding affinities for fullerenes, leading to host–guest complexes that display rapid photoinduced electron transfer within a picosecond. The outcomes of this research could pave the way for the utilization of shape and electronically complementary nanocarbons in the construction of functional coassemblies.
- Published
- 2024
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