Synthesis, properties, and two-dimensional adsorption characteristics of 5-amino[6]hexahelicene

A convergent synthesis of racemic 5-amino[6]hexahelicene is described. Cross-coupling reactions are used to assemble a pentacyclic framework, and a metal-catalyzed ring-closure comprises the final step. The enantiomers were separated by means of chromatography and the absolute configurations were assigned by comparison of the CD spectra with hexahelicene. The t_1/2 value for racemization at 210 °C was approximately 1 hour. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements were carried out on enantiopure and racemic samples of aminohelicene on Au(111) under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. Stairway to heaven? In a convergent synthesis of racemic 5-amino[6]hexahelicene (see figure), cross-coupling reactions assemble a pentacyclic framework, with a metal-catalyzed ring closure as the final step. The enantiomers are separated by means of chromatography and the absolute configurations assigned by comparison of the CD spectra with hexahelicene. Furthermore, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) on Au(111) was performed under ultrahigh vacuum.