Synthesis and Properties of a Strained Triple Nanohoop

Abstract

A strained triple nanohoop with a shared central benzene unit is synthesized using a threefold intramolecular ring-closing approach. Among the five possible constitutional isomers, the isomer with the highest D_3h symmetry is isolated, the structure of which contains three nanohoop blades and a central hexaphenylbenzene unit. The structure is elucidated using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The optical and electrochemical properties are investigated, revealing a moderate fluorescence quantum yield of 40 %. A water-soluble nanomaterial is prepared using a nanoparticle encapsulation method, and a fluorescence quantum yield of 10 % is retained, which demonstrates the potential of the nanomaterial in biological systems.