Strained and Twisted Molecular Nanographenes: Reduction-Driven Transformations and Reactivity

Abstract:

Chemical reduction of molecular nanographenes with different π-extended frameworks allows to fully unravel their redox properties, revealing reduction limits, product’s stability, and unique structural transformations.1-3 Importantly, the use of different alkali metals for reduction reactions can largely stabilize the reduced products through metal binding and efficient charge mediation, thus enabling the isolation of highly reactive and highly charged carbanions.4,5 In this work, we select several curved and twisted nanographenes with different core topologies for probing their electron-accepting behavior. Using various spectroscopic tools coupled with single crystal X-ray diffraction, we investigate stepwise reduction reactions and reduction-induced core transformations of the resulting products isolated as single-crystalline materials. The revealed insights into the outcomes of gradual electron addition accompanied by original electronic and structural reorganization should validate potential applications of selected nanocarbon π-systems as emerging energy storage materials. 

References:

1. W. Stawski, Y. Zhu, I. Rončević, Z. Wei, M. A. Petrukhina, H. L. Anderson. Nat. Chem. 2024, 16, 998.

2. Y. Zhu, J. Borstelmann, O. Bertleff, J. Bergner, Z. Wei, C. Neiss, A. Görling, M. Kivala, M. A. Petrukhina. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 14715.

3. J. Lión-Villar, H. S. Torchon, Y. Zhu, Z. Wei, J. M. Fernández-García, I. Fernández, M. A. Petrukhina, N. Martín. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202510209

4. Z. Zhou, M. A. Petrukhina. Chem. Sci. Perspective, 2025, 16, 468.

5. Y. Zhu, M. A. Petrukhina. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2026, 55, 3061.

To get an assistance certificate for this seminar, register now and sign the assistance form during the seminar. Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLXOOWsYtmIvNXE3-23cULdYqreeyv5vDVMVi-rGRu0rDCHg/viewform?usp=publish-editor