Title: Rational synthesis of an atomically precise carboncone under mild conditions

Authors: Zheng-Zhong Zhu*, Zuo-Chang Chen*, Yang-Rong Yao, Cun-Hao Cui, Shu-Hui Li, Xin-Jing Zhao, Qianyan Zhang†, Han-Rui Tian, Piao-Yang Xu, Fang-Fang Xie, Xiao-Ming Xie, Yuan-Zhi Tan, Shun-Liu Deng, Jennifer M. Quimby, Lawrence T. Scott, Su-Yuan Xie†, Rong-Bin Huang and Lan-Sun Zheng

Abstract: 

Carboncones, a special family of all-carbon allotropes, are predicted to have unique properties that distinguish them from fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphenes. Owing to the absence of methods to synthesize atomically well-defined carboncones, however, experimental insight into the nature of pure carboncones has been inaccessible. Herein, we describe a facile synthesis of an atomically well-defined carboncone[1,2] (C₇₀H₂₀) and its soluble penta-mesityl derivative. Identified by x-ray crystallography, the carbon skeleton is a carboncone with the largest possible apex angle. Much of the structural strain is overcome in the final step of converting the bowl-shaped precursor into the rigid carboncone under mild reaction conditions. This work provides a research opportunity for investigations of atomically precise single-layered carboncones having even higher cone walls and/or smaller apex angles.

Full-Link: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/8/eaaw0982?_ga=2.80599890.419035980.1568429831-456884960.1568429831