A novel method for hydrogenating nanocarbon material ‘nanographene’

April 25, 2025

safe, low-cost, and rapid synthesis without hydrogen gas and with minimal solvent

A joint research group consisting of researchers from Nagoya University, the RIKEN PRI, and the RIKEN CSRS has successfully developed a new approach of mechanochemical hydrogenation. This method not only represents a novel route for aromatic hydrogenation, but also significantly surpasses conventional processes in terms of cost, reaction time, and safety. As such, it holds potential to replace traditional high-pressure hydrogenation techniques.

Periphery-hydrogenated nanographenes which possess high solubility and are expected to exhibit distinct electronic properties, making them promising as new organic electronic materials. However, the synthesis of periphery-hydrogenated nanographenes is a significant challenge because of the harsh conditions and poor solubility of the starting materials. In this study, the researchers succeeded in developing a mechanochemical hydrogenation method under ambient pressure and atmosphere, enabling rapid synthesis of a variety of hydrogenated polycyclic aromatic compounds. The resulting molecules also exhibited unique properties, such as enhanced photoluminescence in the solid state. Comprehensive hydrogenation of known polycyclic aromatic compounds is expected to enable rapid access to unsynthesized hydrogenated nanographenes, promote the discovery of new properties, and support their application in organic electronics.

 

Original article

Chemical Science doi: 10.1039/d5sc01489a

Y. Toyama, T. Nakamura, Y. Horikawa, Y. Morinaka, Y. Ono, A. Yagi, K. Itami, H. Ito,

"Rh-catalyzed mechanochemical transfer hydrogenation for the synthesis of periphery-hydrogenated polycyclic aromatic compounds".

Contact

Kenichiro Itami
Team Director
Expanded Chemical Space Research Team