Electron transfer in polyaromatic hydrocarbons and molecular carbon nanostructures

Abstract

Planar and curved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent an interesting class of compounds with physical chemical properties particularly appealing, as good organic semiconductors and molecular model of larger carbon nanostructures. Investigation of the heterogeneous electron transfer in these systems lets to probe their electronic properties and the reactivity of the corresponding generated carbanions and carbocations that can form new bonds, thus leading to different carbon systems. A particular focus is on the intrinsically high reactivity of carbocations which induces a series of reactions building up new carbon–carbon bonds, thus allowing to enlarge the initial molecular unit into a nanostructure. This represents a new and convenient way to exploit the electrochemically triggered reactivity into the synthesis of carbon nanostructured materials.