Planar and Bowl-shaped Electron-poor Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Frank Würthner
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 377001809

Extended polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are also termed nanographenes have become an exciting research area in the field of organic functional materials. Subsequent to the already well-developed field of electron-rich PAHs our major objective in this project is the development of new two-dimensional planar and bowl-shaped PAHs bearing electron-withdrawing imide groups. Based on the successful development of synthetic methodologies for the desired molecular frameworks in the first funding period, our main goal for the next years is to elucidate the specific properties of these new types of PAHs. Our focus here is on supramolecular chemistry where we envision unique possibilities based on our preliminary studies. We will investigate donor-acceptor complexes between multiimide-functionalized PAHs and electron-rich PAHs, the coordination of supramolecular complexes such as G-quartets on the extended pi-scaffolds (template effect), supramolecular polymers and block co-polymers as well as the complexation of ions in PAHs with tailored cavities.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants