Strategies toward phosphorus-containing PAHs and the effect of P-substitution on the electronic properties

In this paper, we report on the different synthetic strategies which led to the preparation of a whole family of polyaromatic hydrocarbons containing a P-atom at the edge. In particular, we show from both experimental and theoretical perspective how the Scholl method has to be adapted to the specificity of organophosphorus derivatives. The P-modified PAHs possess the classical phosphane reactivity that allows fine-tuning of their electronic properties as evidenced by spectro-electrochemistry and theoretical calculations. In particular, the effect of P-substitution on the aromaticity of the different cycles of the PAH was studied.