title: Soluble Graphene Nanoribbons from Planarization of Oligophenylenes.
abstract: A solution-based chemical synthesis of two graphene nanoribbons with armchair edges is reported. The precursor oligophenylene molecules are synthesized and subjected to oxidative cyclodehydrogenation to afford the target molecules, G-1 and G-2. These molecules have good solubility in organic solvents, and show a large redshift in their absorption edge (up to 185 nm) and emission maximum (up to 125 nm) after planarization. Fibrous structures are formed upon self-assembly of molecules through columnar π-π stacking. Such molecular assemblies may be useful for various applications.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
authors.forename: Choong Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
authors.forename: Suresh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valiyaveettil
keywords: cyclodehydrogenation; graphene; nanoribbons; oligophenylenes; self-assembly