Communications Chemistry (Sep 2024)

On-surface synthesis of porous graphene nanoribbons mediated by phenyl migration

  • César Moreno,
  • Xabier Diaz de Cerio,
  • Maria Tenorio,
  • Fei Gao,
  • Manuel Vilas-Varela,
  • Ane Sarasola,
  • Diego Peña,
  • Aran Garcia-Lekue,
  • Aitor Mugarza

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-024-01284-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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Abstract Advancements in the on-surface synthesis of atomically precise graphene nanostructures are propelled by the introduction of innovative precursor designs and reaction types. Until now, the latter has been confined to cross-coupling and cyclization reactions that involve the cleavage of specific atoms or groups. In this article, we elucidate how the migration of phenyl substituents attached to graphene nanoribbons can be harnessed to generate arrays of [18]-annulene pores at the edges of the nanostructures. This sequential pathway is revealed through a comprehensive study employing bond-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy and ab-initio computational techniques. The yield of pore formation is maximized by anchoring the graphene nanoribbons at steps of vicinal surfaces, underscoring the potential of these substrates to guide reaction paths. Our study introduces a new reaction to the on-surface synthesis toolbox along with a sequential route, altogether enabling the extension of this strategy towards the formation of other porous nanostructures.