Defect-Induced π-Magnetism into Non-Benzenoid Nanographenes

The synthesis of nanographenes (NGs) with open-shell ground states have recently attained increasing attention in view of their interesting physicochemical properties and great prospects in manifold applications as suitable materials within the rising field of carbon-based magnetism. A potential route to induce magnetism in NGs is the introduction of structural defects, for instance non-benzenoid rings, in their honeycomb lattice. Here, we report the on-surface synthesis of three open-shell non-benzenoid NGs (A(1), A(2) and A(3)) on the Au(111) surface. A(1) and A(2) contain two five- and one seven-membered rings within their benzenoid backbone, while A(3) incorporates one five-membered ring. Their structures and electronic properties have been investigated by means of scanning tunneling microscopy, noncontact atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy complemented with theoretical calculations. Our results provide access to open-shell NGs with a combination of non-benzenoid topologies previously precluded by conventional synthetic procedures.

Automated summary

The synthesis of nanographenes with open-shell ground states has attracted increasing attention due to their interesting physicochemical properties and potential applications in carbon-based magnetism. This study reports the on-surface synthesis of three open-shell nanographenes with non-benzenoid structures and investigates their properties using various techniques. The results provide access to new types of open-shell nanographenes that were previously difficult to synthesize.