Catalyst-Free Synthesis of Sheet-Like Conjugated Aromatic Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development of two-dimensional carbon nanostructures through cyclotrimerization of alkynes is limited by catalyst efficiency and structural variations, leading to discrepancies in product reproducibility and long-range structure, with existing methods failing to synthesize larger sheet-like aromatic structures effectively.

Innovation Solution

A catalyst-free method involving the reaction of sodium acetylide or cyanides with electron-deficient aromatic systems at room temperature, enabling the synthesis of sheet-like conjugated aromatic structures with lateral dimensions in micrometers, utilizing electron-deficient moieties like chloro- or fluorine-substituted triazines, which facilitates the formation of benzene-triazine heteroaromatic structures without the need for catalysts or co-catalysts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If catalyst-based cyclotrimerization is used to synthesize two-dimensional carbon nanostructures, then the reaction can proceed with standard alkynes, but the product structure shows high dispersity and poor reproducibility due to catalyst efficiency limitations and physical/chemical interactions with the carbon backbone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst-based cyclotrimerizationVSAvoidproduct structure reproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the catalyst from the reaction system entirely, extracting the problematic catalytic component that causes dispersity and reproducibility issues. The cyclotrimerization proceeds without any metal catalyst, eliminating the source of structural variation while maintaining reaction functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the reaction parameters by using electron-deficient aromatic systems with specific substituents (chloro, fluoro) and controlling the reaction at room temperature. These parameter changes enable catalyst-free cyclotrimerization while achieving uniform product structure and high reproducibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If catalyst-based cyclotrimerization is used to construct benzene derivatives, then the reaction is powerful and versatile, but the long-range structure of the product shows high discrepancy due to catalyst limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst-based cyclotrimerizationVSAvoidlong-range structure consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst is completely removed from the system, extracting the source of long-range structural discrepancy. The reaction proceeds through a catalyst-free mechanism that maintains versatility while achieving consistent long-range structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electron-deficient aromatic systems as intermediaries that facilitate the cyclotrimerization process without requiring a catalyst. These intermediaries mediate the reaction between alkynes, enabling consistent long-range structure formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If catalyst-free cyclotrimerization of alkynylketones is used at low temperatures, then catalyst limitations and side reactions are circumvented, but the method does not support the synthesis of larger sheet-like aromatic structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst-free reaction reliabilityVSAvoidsheet-like structure size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the substrate parameters by using electron-deficient aromatic systems with specific substituents (chloro, fluoro) instead of alkynylketones. This parameter change enables the synthesis of larger sheet-like structures while maintaining the reliability of catalyst-free reaction conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite structures by combining electron-deficient aromatic systems with alkyne units in a catalyst-free cyclotrimerization. This composite approach enables formation of larger sheet-like aromatic structures while maintaining reaction reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Loss of information

If physical and chemical interactions between the carbon backbone and catalyst are considered, then the mechanism is understood, but the dispersity of the product increases and reproducibility is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism understandingVSAvoidproduct dispersity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst is extracted from the system, removing the source of product dispersity. The mechanism understanding is preserved through study of the catalyst-free reaction pathway, eliminating the harmful interactions between catalyst and carbon backbone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method allows for the cost-effective synthesis of sheet-like organic frameworks with conjugated aromatic backbones, demonstrating high reactivity and suitability for molecular storage and filtering applications, with small molecules penetrating but larger objects like gold nanoparticles being excluded, indicating controlled structural manipulation.

Implementation Method 1

reacting sodium acetylide or cyanides, in particular sodium acetylide; and at least one electron deficient aromatic system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNucleophilic substitution: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the cyclization of alkynes to the benzene ring has shown great promise for the construction of new materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

Each alkyne molecule forms two new carbon-carbon σ bonds at the expense of one π bond

Methodology Applied
Scientific Effect[2+2+2] cycloaddition: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4269413A1A method for synthesizing a two-dimensional material consisting of conjugated aromatic structures by trimerization
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 FREE UNIV OF BERLIN
  • EP4269413A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4269413A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2i
  • EP4269413A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for synthesizing two-dimensional material consisting of conjugated aromatic structures by trimerization, which comprises reacting sodium acetylide or sodium cyanide, and at least one electron deficient aromatic system of the general formula (I).