Nor[7]circulenyl Neutral Radical and Its Charged Species: Synthesis, Structures, and Efficient NIR‐II Photothermal Conversion for Imaging and Laser Ignition

X Xiaoqi Tian (Institute of Molecular Plus, Department of Chemistry, Tianjin University and Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China) M Mingzhe Wang (Department of Chemistry, Tianjin University and Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Institute of Molecular Plus, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China) X Xiaonan Ma (Institute of Molecular Plus) S Sota Sato (Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo FS CREATION, 6-6-2 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-0882, Japan) Z Zhe Sun

Abstract

Abstract [ n ]Circulenes have attracted considerable research interest; however, open‐shell [ n ]circulene‐type structures remain elusive. In this study, we report the synthesis of a highly stable nor[7]circulenyl radical (nor[7]CR) and its isolation in the crystalline phase. nor[7]CR exhibits a distinct four‐stage amphoteric redox behavior, as revealed by cyclic voltammetry. The stable cation (nor[7]CR + ) was obtained via chemical oxidation and isolated in crystalline form, and the corresponding anionic species were characterized spectroscopically. Remarkably, nor[7]CR + exhibits strong NIR‐II absorption at 1105 nm with a high photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of 93%, as well as a high maximum photothermal temperature ( T max ) under low optical power density. The applications of nor[7]CR + in photothermal imaging and laser ignition were demonstrated, highlighting its great potential as a photothermal material.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 50
Published December 08, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (5)

X

Xiaoqi Tian

Institute of Molecular Plus, Department of Chemistry, Tianjin University and Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China

M

Mingzhe Wang

Department of Chemistry, Tianjin University and Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Institute of Molecular Plus, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China

X

Xiaonan Ma

Institute of Molecular Plus

S

Sota Sato

Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo FS CREATION, 6-6-2 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-0882, Japan

Z

Zhe Sun