Single-molecule conductance of dibenzopentalenes: antiaromaticity and quantum interference

Chem Commun (Camb). 2021 Jan 26;57(6):745-748. doi: 10.1039/d0cc06810a.

Abstract

The effects of antiaromaticity and destructive quantum interference (DQI) are investigated on the charge transport through dibenzo-[a,e]pentalene (DBP). 5,10-Connectivity gives high single-molecule conductance whereas 2,7 gives low conductance due to DQI. Comparison of the 5,10-DBP with phenyl and anthracene analogues yields the trend GDBP ≈ GAnth > GPh, despite the aromatic anthracene having a larger HOMO-LUMO gap than 5,10-DBP. This is explained by unfavourable level alignment for 5,10-DBP.