Self-assembly based on heterotriangulene derivatives: from nanowires to microrods

Abstract

Compound SA-6, SA-8 and SA-10 (totally called SAs) were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions of core derivative 3 with three equiv. of 1-alkyloxy-4-ethynylbenzene 2 in good yields. After the dichloromethane solutions of SAs were mixed with methanol, two-level self-assemblies from nanowires to microrods based on SAs were obtained and characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The driving force of the two-level self-assembly is attributed to the strong π–π stacking ability of heterotriangulene cores and the hydrophobic interactions of alkyl chains with solvent molecules. These two processes may well be used for other molecules to fabricate new nanomaterials in the field of photoelectric devices.