Synthesis and characterization of symmetrical sulfur-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with controlled shapes

Abstract Here we report and establish a facile synthetic method for these unprecedented sulfur-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (S-PAHs) with symmetrical structures ( C 2 -rectangle and D 6h -hexagonal shape). Characterization by laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry unambiguously validate the successful formation of these novel S-PAHs. The C 2 -rectangle and D 6h -hexagonal-shaped S-PAHs ( 1 and 2 ) are obtained by Scholl-type cyclodehydrogenation of the corresponding precursor using FeCl 3 as an oxidant, and their spectral characteristics, thermal and electrical properties are investigated.