title: Synthesis of a giant 222 carbon graphite sheet.
abstract: In this paper we present the synthesis and characterization of the so far largest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), containing 222 carbon atoms or 37 separate benzene units. First a suitable three-dimensional oligophenylene precursor molecule is built up by a sequence of Diels-Alder and cyclotrimerization reactions and then planarized in the final step by oxidative cyclodehydrogenation to the corresponding hexagonal PAH. Structural proof is based on isotopically resolved MALDI-TOF mass spectra and electronic characteristics are studied by UV/Vis spectroscopy.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: J Diedrich
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Berresheim
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Przybilla
authors.forename: Hans Joachim
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Räder
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Müllen