Edge Functionalization of Structurally Defined Graphene Nanoribbons for Modulating the Self-Assembled Structures

J Am Chem Soc. 2017 Nov 22;139(46):16454-16457. doi: 10.1021/jacs.7b09031. Epub 2017 Nov 9.

Abstract

Edge functionalization of bottom-up synthesized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with anthraquinone and naphthalene/perylene monoimide units has been achieved through a Suzuki coupling of polyphenylene precursors bearing bromo groups, prior to the intramolecular oxidative cyclo-dehydrogenation. High efficiency of the substitution has been validated by MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the functionalized precursors and FT-IR, Raman, and XPS analyses of the resulting GNRs. Moreover, AFM measurements demonstrated the modulation of the self-assembling behavior of the edge-functionalized GNRs, revealing that GNR-PMI formed an intriguing rectangular network. This result suggests the possibility of programming the supramolecular architecture of GNRs by tuning the functional units.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't