Synthesis of Geodesic Polynuclear Areees and Fullerenes by Intramolecular Aryl-Aryl Coupling

摘要

The discovery of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes has spurred interest in geodesic π-systems. Higher fullerenes beyond C_(60) and C_(70) can occur as a variety of constitutional or stereoisomers, the number of which increases rapidly with size, and they are difficult to isolate in pure form from the soot produced by vaporization of graphite in an electric arc or by incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons in fuel-rich flames.' Therefore, the exploration and exploitation of the interesting properties of carbon spheroids and nanotubes call for a targeted, rational synthesis of isomerically pure species in macroscopic amounts. The dome-shaped geodesic polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) corresponding to the end-caps of carbon nanotubes are popularly called "buckybowls".