Highly efficient fluorine-promoted intramolecular condensation of benzo[c]phenanthrene: A new prospective on direct fullerene synthesis

Abstract

Various functional groups have been tested as alternative promoters of the intramolecular condensation of benzo-[c]phenanthrene under flash vacuum pyrolysis conditions. Methyl and fluorine functionalization were found to be promising approaches. Unexpectedly high selectivity was observed in the cyclization of fluorinated benzo[c]phenanthrenes. The mechanism for the condensation reaction and the advantages of fluorine as a promoter for the rational synthesis of fullerenes are discussed. © Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.