s-Heptazine oligomers: promising structural models for graphitic carbon nitride

Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) has interesting catalytic properties but is difficult to study due to its structure and how it is produced. In this study, linear <i>s</i>-heptazine oligomers were synthesized to serve as well-defined molecular models for g-CN. Cyclic voltammetry, absorption and emission spectroscopies showed a clear shift of properties towards those of g-CN as the number of heptazine units increased. DFT calculations supported the characterizations, and helped refine the properties observed.