On-surface synthesis of anthracene-fused zigzag graphene nanoribbons from 2,7-dibromo-9,9'-bianthryl reveals unexpected ring rearrangements

On-surface synthesis has emerged as a powerful strategy to fabricate unprecedented forms of atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). However, the on-surface synthesis of zigzag GNRs (ZGNR) has met with only limited success. In the paper where the data are discussed, we report the synthesis and on-surface reactions of 2,7-dibromo-9,9'-bianthryl as the precursor towards π-extended ZGNRs. Characterization by scanning tunneling microscopy and high-resolution noncontact atomic force microscopy clearly demonstrated the formation of anthracene-fused ZGNRs. Unique skeletal rearrangements were also observed, which could be explained by intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Theoretical calculations of the electronic properties of the anthracene-fused ZGNRs revealed spin-polarized edge-states and a narrow bandgap of 0.20 eV.