A Diindole-fused Corannulene Imide Derivative: Synthesis and Properties

Abstract

A diindole-fused corannulene imide derivative was synthesized through two steps, Suzuki coupling and subsequent reductive cyclization reaction. Fusing indole rings to corannulene imide led to significantly red-shifted absorption, a lower HOMO–LUMO band gap, and a lower bowl-to-bowl inversion barrier than those of corannulene imide. The heterocycles also decreased the aromaticity of the rings of corannulene moiety adjacent to heterocycles.