A perspective on radicaloid conjugated polycyclic hydrocarbons
Iago Pozo, Lapo Bogani
Abstract
Future technologies have seen organic radicals and polyradicals emerge as a new platform with promising perspectives. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in establishing structure–property relationships for these species. Conjugated polycyclic hydrocarbons (CPHs) can accommodate multiple unpaired electrons within a large π-cloud. Here we translate the rules used to anticipate the magnetic nature of extended materials into molecular systems only containing carbon and hydrogen atoms. We showcase relevant examples on the preparation of these compounds, highlighting the two main synthetic approaches: in-solution and on-surface. Additionally, we compile essential properties, such as exchange coupling and quantum coherence.