Enabling dual aromaticity in fused nanobelts: evaluation of the magnetic behavior of fused [10]CPP units

Abstract

Cyclo-para-phenylene (CPP) nanobelt structures with curved π-surfaces are of relevance in the development of desirable building units for materials science. Dimeric [10]CPP motifs have been reported ([10]SCPP), extending the individual features to fused nanobelts sharing structural components. Our results indicate a local-aromatic behavior of the neutral dimeric motif, leading to a switched-on character upon di- and tetra-oxidation resulting in the formation of two long-ranged shielding regions at the center of each [10]CPP fused unit. This evaluation shows the ability to enable two global aromatic circuits to compromise the overall carbon backbone, instead of being located exclusively at each phenylene ring. Thus, fused nanobelt structures are able to sustain a dual global aromatic behavior, which can be switched-on via oxidation, leading to more complex aromatic species at the nanoscale.