Synthesis and properties of cycloparaphenylene-2,7-pyrenylene: a pyrene-containing carbon nanoring.

The first synthesis of a pyrene-containing carbon nanoring, cyclo[12]paraphenylene[2]-2,7-pyrenylene ([12,2]CPPyr), is described. Through a sequence of stepwise macrocyclization using Pd and Ni catalysts followed by aromatization of L-shaped cyclohexane units afforded a [12,2]CPPyr in five steps from commercially available compounds. The UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra as well as TD-DFT calculations clarified the unique photophysical and electronic properties of the [12,2]CPPyr.