Curvature-Driven Functions in Sumanene Chemistry: A C3v-Symmetric Buckybowl
16 September 2026, 1:30 p.m.
Abstract
Sumanene is a C3v-symmetric buckybowl representing a fragment of C60, whose intrinsic curvature gives rise to unique structural and electronic properties [1,2]. Its bowl-shaped geometry enables dynamic bowl-to-bowl inversion and promotes one-dimensional columnar assemblies in crystalline and soft-matter states [3].
In this presentation, recent progress in the synthesis and functionalization of sumanene derivatives will be briefly introduced, followed by a focus on curvature-driven properties in the solid state [4]. Notably, single crystals of tailored derivatives exhibit dielectric responses arising from the collective behavior of molecular dipoles coupled with anisotropic packing and bowl dynamics [5,6].
In addition, curved π-conjugated donor–acceptor systems based on sumanene display near-infrared (NIR) emission, particularly in nonpolar environments and solid states [7]. This behavior is attributed to efficient charge-transfer interactions and curvature-enhanced spin–orbit coupling [8].
These findings demonstrate that molecular curvature serves as a key design principle for developing functional organic materials with dynamic, dielectric, and optoelectronic properties.
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