Themed collection Celebrating 200 Years of Benzene

Molecular nanographenes are graphene analogues at the nanoscale. Among the emerging strategies to modulate their optoelectronic properties, vertical π–π stacking between the graphitized layers has recently gained attention as a powerful tool.

Low-temperature synthetic route to heteroatom-doped nanographenes, enabled by molecular self-assembly.

A three-component coupling reaction was devised to synthesize a two-story cage molecule consisting of a sextuple helix. The helical structure was unexpectedly entangled to form a duodecuple helix with homohelicity.

Two successive Au-catalyzed alkyne hydroarylation events allow the assembly of trithia[5]helicenes with high enantioselectivity. The racemization barrier of the structures prepared was experimentally determined (ΔG^≠ = 35.6 kcal mol⁻¹ at 175 °C).

We report the first electron-transport study through saddle-shaped NGs, using experimental and theoretical approaches. For the studied systems, our results show that there are no significant changes in conductance, compared with the planar analogues.

The concentration of hole scavenger Na₂SO₃ in nitrobenzene photoreduction catalyzed by CdS quantum dots determines reaction selectivity, highlighting how scavenger quantity can direct photocatalytic pathways.

Diarylbenzodithieno[5.5.5.6]fenestranes exhibit unusual dual emission (left), but upon twofold formylation and/or oxidative cyclization (right), only monomeric emission occurs.

Triangular acenes display size-dependent radical character arising from the interplay between Clar's sextet stabilization and the release of cyclobutadiene antiaromaticity.