Synthesis of the First Fully -Conjugated Macrocyclic Oligothiophenes: Cyclo[n]thiophenes with Tunable Cavities in the Nanometer Regime

Abstract

Novel classes of macrocyclic oligothiophenediynes and corresponding fully α-conjugated α-cyclo[n]thiophenes comprising up to 76 chain members and cavities up to 3 nm have been synthesized. The detailed structure of the macrocycles and their molecular arrangement in the solid state were investigated by X-ray structure analysis and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The STM image shows a cyclo[12]thiophene molecule on a graphite surface.