[18]Annulene

The geometry of [18]annulene has been fully optimized within the D_6h point group (la) utilizing ab initio MO theory at the STO-3G level to give carbon-carbon bond lengths of 1.391 and 1.400 Å. This structure is found to be 35.7 kcal/mol less stable than a D_3h structure (1b) with alternating bond lengths of 1.330 and 1.479 Å. The ionization potentials are calculated to be in the ranges. 6.2–7.1 (1a) and 7.4–8.1 eV (1b)     

The Photoelectron Spectrum of [18]Annulene

The PE. spectrum of [18]annulene has been measured and correlated with MO-calculations. The experimental ionization energies can only be explained by computing the electronic states of the cation, that is by taking into account the electron correlation and reorganization in the ionic states. The results allow a discussion of the structure of the neutral molecule; they are consistent with a D_6hpoint group of symmetry.     

The Stabilization Energy of [18] Annulene. A thermochemical determination

The thermal rearrangement of [18]annulene in solution gives benzene and 1,2-benzo-1,3,7-cyclooctatriene. This reaction has been investigated using a differential scanning calorimeter and the associated enthalpy change has been measured. The enthalpy of the reaction (in the gase phase at 298°K) is From this value and the enthalpies of formation of the reaction products, the enthalpy of formation of [18]annulene is obtained: The stabilization energy of [18]annulene, defined as the difference between the enthalpy of formation of the hypothetical Kékulé [18]annulene (with single and double bonds of normal lengths) and the heat of formation of the real molecule is then a value close to the corresponding quantity found for benzene. The very large stabilization energy of [18]annulen (100 ± 6 kcal mol^?1) previously reported in the literature, based on measurements of the heat of combustion, is not correct since the annulene is certainly oxidized in the bomb prior to combustion. The isodynamic conformational mobility of [18]annulene is not incompatible with a stabilization energy of 37 kcal mol^?1; the activation enthalpy observed for this process (ΔH^≠ = 16.1 kcal mol^?1) indicates that the stabilization is not completely destroyed in the transition state. The mechanism of the thermolysis of [18]annulen, investigated by kinetic measurements and by analysis of the shape of the thermograms, is discussed.     

The Low-Temperature UV./VIS. Absorption Spectrum of [18]Annulene

The UV./VIS. absorption spectrum of [18]annulene has been remeasured in 3-rnethylpentane at room and at liquid nitrogen (glass) temperature and interpreted by the CNDO/S-CI-method. The confrontation of the experimental electronic transitions with the CNDO/S-CI-calculated ones favors a structure with D_6h-symmetry, i.e, a structure with delocalized π-bonds.     

Synthesis of a Porous [14]Annulene Graphene Nanoribbon and a Porous [30]Annulene Graphene Nanosheet on Metal Surfaces

The electrical and mechanical properties of graphene-based materials can be tuned by the introduction of nanopores, which are sensitively related to the size, morphology, density, and location of nanopores. The synthesis of low-dimensional graphene nanostructures containing well-defined nonplanar nanopores has been challenging due to the intrinsic steric hindrance. Herein, we report the selective synthesis of one-dimensional (1D) graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) containing periodic nonplanar [14]annulene pores on Ag(111) and two-dimensional (2D) porous graphene nanosheet containing periodic nonplanar [30]annulene pores on Au(111), starting from a same precursor. The formation of distinct products on the two substrates originates from the different thermodynamics and kinetics of coupling reactions. The reaction mechanisms were confirmed by a series of control experiments, and the appropriate thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for optimizing the reaction pathways were proposed. In addition, the combined scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed the electronic structures of porous graphene structures, demonstrating the impact of nonplanar pores on the π-conjugation of molecules.     

The Low-Temperature UV/VIS Absorption Spectrum of [14]Annulene

The UV/VIS absorption spectrum of [14]annulene was measured in 3-methylpentane at room and liquid-N₂ temperatures and interpreted by the CNDO/S-CI method. This comparison between experiment and theory supports a structure with π-bond delocalization for this molecule.     

Die Bildungsenthalpie 1,6-überbrückter [10] Annulene

The enthalpies of formation of 1.6-methano-[10] annulene (IV) (ΔHf₂₉₈ (IV, g) = 75.2 ± 0.6 kcal mol^?1), 1.6-imino-[10] annulene (V) (ΔHf₂₉₈(V, g) = 87.8 ± 0.7 kcal mol^?1) and of 1.6-oxido-[10] annulene (VI) (ΔHf₂₉₈(VI, g) = 47.8 ± 1.2 kcal mol^?1) have been determined by combustion calorimetry. The difficulties connected with an attempt to derive meaningfull «resonance energies» are discussed.